Wigan Athletic Vs Bradford City — Preview, Team News And Lineups
Wigan Athletic Vs Bradford City meet on Saturday afternoon in a League One clash that carries consequences at both ends of the table, with struggling Wigan seeking a return to winning ways and Bradford aiming to consolidate a top-six position.
Wigan Athletic Vs Bradford City — Match Stakes And Recent Form
Wigan enter the match having gone winless in two, most recently suffering a 3-0 home defeat to Plymouth Argyle. The club is navigating a relegation battle under Gary Caldwell, who returned to the role with the clear objective of securing League One survival. Since taking charge he has overseen five matches delivering two wins, one draw and two defeats. Those victories over Luton Town and Huddersfield Town have shown signs of recovery, and the Latics have collected more points than any other side in the bottom seven across their last six league matches.
Defensive improvements have been visible: Wigan recorded two clean sheets in that recent six-game spell after a run in which they had only six earlier in the campaign. The hosts are level on points with Blackpool, who currently occupy the final relegation spot, and a 10th win this weekend would lift Wigan three points clear of the drop zone for the following week.
Bradford City arrive in Greater Manchester off the back of a 2-0 away victory at Port Vale that moved them into fourth place. The Bantams have won four of their last six and currently sit with a 10-point cushion over seventh-placed Reading while remaining nine points adrift of the automatic promotion places. The Port Vale win provided Bradford’s 16th league victory of the season, with goals from Bobby Pointon and Tyreik Wright.
The pair last met on Boxing Day, when Bradford claimed a 2-1 win over nine-man Wigan.
Probable Lineups, Substitutes And Team News
Projected Wigan starters list Sam Tickle in goal and a back three of Jason Kerr, Will Aimson and Luke Robinson. The midfield and attacking configuration shows Harrison Bettoni, Jenson Weir and Joseph Hungbo centrally, with Fraser Murray and Owen Moxon on the flanks and Christian Saydee and Joe Taylor leading the line. Named substitutes include McManaman, Smith, Vickers, Chapman, Borges Rodrigues, Graham and Savin.
Bradford’s anticipated selection features Sam Walker in goal; a central trio of Matt Pennington, Curtis Tilt and Ibou Touray in defence; Josh Neufville and Tyreik Wright on the right and left wide roles; Max Power and Jenson Metcalfe in midfield; Antoni Sarcevic and Bobby Pointon further forward; and Ethan Wheatley up front. Bradford’s substitutes include Humphrys, Mullin, Swan, Evans, J Wright, Ashby and Hilton.
Wigan appear to have no fresh injury concerns from their latest outing, with Raphael Borges and Llyton Chapman having been forced off previously but returning to the bench during the midweek defeat to Plymouth and potentially pushing for starting places. A handful of squad members were listed as unavailable in earlier coverage, but the immediate update indicates more options for selection.
Referee, Odds And What To Watch On Matchday
The match official assigned is Northamptonshire’s Andrew Humphries, who notably sent off Jack Shepherd at Newport last season. Match odds place Wigan at 9/5, Bradford at 7/5, and the draw at 21/10, reflecting a competitive fixture between a side fighting relegation and one pushing for the playoffs.
Key factors to monitor include Wigan’s defensive solidity after recent clean sheets, Bradford’s momentum and goal threats from Bobby Pointon and Tyreik Wright, and whether returning squad members for the hosts can influence the starting XI. With both teams having clear objectives — survival for Wigan and playoff consolidation for Bradford — the outcome will have immediate implications for the closing stages of the season.
Expect team announcements and any last-minute changes closer to kickoff on Saturday afternoon; the fixture provides a concise test of Wigan’s recovery and Bradford’s capacity to maintain momentum in the final stretch of the campaign.
