Wigan Athletic will attempt to end a four-game winless run when they welcome Carlisle United to the DW Stadium for Friday's League One fixture.

Like their hosts, Carlisle will also be desperate to return to winning ways after failing to record a victory in any of their last eight league matches.

Match preview

After beginning the month with victories in the FA Cup and EFL Trophy, Wigan have experienced a drop-off in form in their recent league outings.

The Latics played out a goalless draw with Lincoln on December 9, before going on to lose in back-to-back away matches against Port Vale and Reading.

Although they returned to home surroundings for a Boxing Day fixture with Derby County, the Latics experienced more disappointment, as they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat following a first-half effort from Curtis Nelson.

Having lost three consecutive fixtures, Shaun Maloney's side head into their final game of 2023 in 19th place and with just four points separating them from the League One relegation zone.

Wigan, who are having to contend with an eight-point deduction, will be desperate to finish the year on a positive note and claim a much-needed victory in their first competitive home meeting with Carlisle United since December 1997.

While Wigan are hovering above the drop zone, Carlisle are currently propping up the League One table after collecting just 17 points from their 23 matches.

The Cumbrians will travel to the DW Stadium with aspirations of claiming their first league win since beating Burton Albion 2-1 on October 24.

In their most recent outing against Fleetwood Town, Owen Moxon saw his 27th-minute opener cancelled out by Jayden Stockley, ensuring that the contest finished as a 1-1 draw.

With five points separating them from safety, Carlisle know they need to start picking up wins sooner rather than later if they are to avoid an immediate return to the fourth tier.

Having scored just two goals in their last five away league games, Paul Simpson's charges will have to find a cutting edge in the final third to have any chance of claiming their second away win of the season on Friday.

Team News

The hosts remain without the injured Jason Kerr, Tom Pearce, James Balagizi, Matt Smith and Martial Godo, while Jordan Jones is doubtful after he was forced to miss the Derby clash through illness.

Forward Charlie Wyke could return to the starting lineup after he missed Tuesday's fixture as his wife went into labour.

Thelo Aasgaard came back from injury to play a substitute role on Boxing Day, and could be given more valuable minutes off the bench as he looks to build up his match fitness following a seven-week spell on the sidelines.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Fin Back and Callum Guy due to injury, while there is some doubt surrounding the availability of club captain Paul Huntington.

Simpson could opt to make a few changes to his side, with Dylan McGeouch, Jordan Gibson, Luke Plange and Joe Garner all in contention to come back into the lineup after dropping down to the bench on Tuesday.

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:
Tickle; Clare, Morrison, Hughes; Sessegnon, Adeeko, S. Smith, McHugh; Humphrys, Lang; Wyke

Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Breeze; Emmanuel, Lavelle, Mellish, Armer; McGeouch, Moxon, McCalmont; Plange, Garner, Gibson

We say: Wigan Athletic 2-1 Carlisle United

Although Wigan have experienced a poor run of recent results, we think that they will make full use of home advantage to beat a Carlisle side that have lost four of their last five league games.

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