Match Preview | Wigan Athletic vs. Cardiff City
Cardiff City travel to Wigan Athletic’s DW Stadium on Saturday afternoon, 3pm KO.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | LAST THREE
The Latics have picked up a victory and two defeats in their last three fixtures, meaning they are currently 12th in the Championship table, with a game in hand on the teams around them.
After being defeated by Reading, Leam Richardson’s side reacted admirably to record a 2-0 win at Rotherham United, in which Will Keane and Tom Naylor both found the net.
However, Saturday’s opponents couldn’t make it back-to-back wins, falling to defeat at Hull City in their most recent fixture.
Despite Keane opening the scoring, the Tigers came from behind to secure victory, as Dimitros Pelkas and Óscar Estupiñán turned the game on its head.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYER
Latics attacker Keane heads into this weekend in form, having recorded five goals and an assist so far this season, averaging a goal every 182 minutes.
The Republic of Ireland international has impressed at DW Stadium since joining the club in 2020 from Ipswich Town, notably scoring 27 goals in all competitions last season.
As he looks to continue to take last season’s form in League One into the second-tier this year, Keane is key to the Latics side.
IN THE PRESS | WHAT’S BEEN SAID
City head into this weekend on the back of a dramatic 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers in midweek. As the Bluebirds search for back-to-back wins, interim boss Mark Hudson expressed he is expecting a difficult challenge.
He said: "Away games are tough and we know this Saturday is going to be a tough game. We've got to travel up there. We've got to prepare mentally for that.
"We've got to play with the same level of intensity as we have in the last two games. It is about the consistency of doing that.”
Midfielder Andy Rinomhota, who moved to the Welsh capital this summer from Reading, hailed City’s form since the international break.
"It's been really positive, and we're just looking to build on that from now, carry on gaining that momentum and trying to get our first back-to-back wins of the season.
"From there, we want to go on a run and keep picking up as many points as we can. It's still so tight at the minute, and we're only three points off the Play-Off positions, so we're in a good position to be challenging.”
Click here to watch Andy's press conference on Cardiff City TV!
CITY FLASHBACK | BLUEBIRDS DEFEAT LATICS ON WAY TO PROMOTION
The Bluebirds edged Wigan Athletic in a five-goal thriller at Ninian Park in the memorable 1982/83 campaign.
Despite the visitors twice taking the lead through Peter Houghton and John Rogers, City showed great character, as they did throughout the season.
Goals from John Lewis, Gary Bennett and an 86th minute winner from Billy Woof saw the Bluebirds record their second win of the campaign.
Len Ashurst’s side went on to have a fantastic year, amassing 86 points to finish second in Division Three, earning promotion to Division Two.
