Huddersfield Town will welcome Wigan Athletic to the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday afternoon as both sides look to distance themselves from the relegation zone.

The two clubs are only separated by one point in the Championship table, with Huddersfield in 18th while Wigan sit 20th prior to this weekend's meeting.

Match preview

Danny Cowley has witnessed his team pick up crucial victories against Bristol City and Charlton Athletic in recent weeks, but they were no match for table-toppers Leeds United as the Terriers succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Marcelo Bielsa's side last weekend.

That result leaves Huddersfield on 42 points, only three clear of the dropzone, and Cowley will be determined to avoid successive relegations for the former Premier League outfit, who finished rock bottom of England's top tier last season.

However, the Terriers have enjoyed victories in three of their last four home matches, and have only lost three league games at the John Smith's Stadium since October.

All eyes will no doubt be on Karlan Grant for the visit of Wigan; the 22-year-old has registered 16 goals in the Championship this season, including three in his last two home fixtures. Grant's performances have also seen him be linked with a move to Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion in recent weeks.

Should Stoke City fail to win against Reading, Huddersfield would climb above the Potters into 17th with a victory, but a defeat could see them slip to 21st if Middlesbrough and Hull City both pick up three points in their respective matches.

Despite failing to overcome a struggling Luton Town in their last match, Wigan have put together an impressive string of results over the past few weeks.

Paul Cook's side have won three of their last four away matches, including shock wins at top-two sides Leeds and West Brom, as well as a 3-0 victory against Reading.

The Latics have not tasted defeat in six Championship matches, a feat only matched by Leeds and Queens Park Rangers, and the 2013 FA Cup winners have kept four consecutive clean sheets in that time.

Cook's side could and probably should have beaten Luton last weekend, but that goalless draw means that Wigan remain only two points above the relegation zone on 41 points.

The same permutations for a win or loss apply for both sides in this fixture, as the Latics could finish the weekend as high as 17th or a low as 21st depending on results elsewhere.

The two clubs shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the DW Stadium in December, as Grant's 70th-minute equaliser cancelled out a 43rd-minute opener from Wigan's Josh Windass.

Huddersfield Town Championship form: LDLWWL

Wigan Athletic Championship form: DDWWWD

Team News

Huddersfield will be without Tommy Elphick and Jonathan Hogg as they continue to recover from knee injuries.

Richard Stearman played through the pain barrier in the final minutes of the defeat to Leeds last weekend, but the defender's injury is not thought to be serious.

Goalkeeper Kamil Grabara could also feature in the starting lineup having recently returned from a head injury.

Meanwhile, Wigan's Gary Roberts limped off in the draw against Luton with a hamstring problem and is a major doubt for the weekend's game.

The Latics already have an extensive injury list to deal with, as Chey Dunkley, Danny Fox and Kieran Dowell are all out for the season.

Cook was forced to replace Tom Pearce before kickoff at Elland Road last weekend, and it has recently been announced that fellow left-back Antonee Robinson is to be treated for an irregular heart rhythm later this month.

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Grabara; Simpson, Stearman, Schindler, Toffolo; Chalobah, O'Brien, Willock, Rowe, Grant; Campbell

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Marshall; Byrne, Kipre, Balogun, Naismith; Morsy, Williams, Lowe, Jacobs, Massey; Moore

We say: Huddersfield Town 0-1 Wigan Athletic

While both teams will no doubt be desperate for all three points as the relegation battle continues to gather pace, Wigan have been highly impressive away from home recently and we're backing them for a narrow victory as well as a fifth clean sheet in succession.