Sunderland will try to avoid losing their fifth consecutive Championship game when they play host to Wigan Athletic on Saturday afternoon with kickoff at 5 pm.
Sunderland has failed to win a game this month after disappointing results, including two consecutive goalless draws at home against Preston North End and Blackpool and a 2-1 defeat away against Swansea City last weekend.
Jack Clarke scored his fourth campaign goal six minutes after halftime, but Oli Cooper and Harry Darling were on target for the Swans to give their team the three points in South Wales.
Tony Mowbray’s side has slipped out of the top half of the table and down to 13th place, six points above the relegation zone and two points behind Saturday’s opponents Wigan in ninth.
Wigan Athletic broke a run of two successive league defeats when they beat Blackburn Rovers 1-0 at home on Tuesday.
The Latics had failed to win either of their previous two games and were looking for a first victory at the DW Stadium of the season, but Nathan Broadhead’s goal just after the hour mark proved decisive.
Amid speculation surrounding his future, Wigan manager Leam Richardson insists that he is focused on his current job and will not pay attention to interest from West Bromwich Albion.
Sunderland vs. Wigan Head to Head
Both sides have 20 games against each other, with the hosts taking eight wins while the visitors with nine wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Swansea 2-1 Sunderland
- Sunderland 0-0 Blackpool
- Sunderland 0-0 Preston
- Watford 2-2 Sunderland
Away
- Wigan 1-0 Blackburn
- Wigan 1-3 Cardiff
- Hull 2-1 Wigan
- Rotherham 0-2 Wigan
Sunderland Team News
With Stewart and Simms ruled out with injuries and Daniel Ballard out with a broken foot, Mowbray could decide to revert to a three-man defence. Dennis Cirkin could be recalled as centre-back to play alongside Luke O’Nien and Danny Batth.
Wigan Team News
Richardson is unlikely to make too many changes to the Wigan side that beat Blackburn in midweek. Still, Charlie Wyke’s minutes are set to be managed carefully – the former Sunderland striker has started the last two matches for the Latics since recovering from a cardiac arrest last year.
Prediction and Odds
We believe Wigan will be motivated by the prospect of climbing into the playoffs, but we can see them earning a hard-fought draw on this occasion.
- Draw
- Double Chance
- Goals Under 3.5
