Wigan Athletic vs Birmingham City Prediction: Birmingham have injury concerns going into the game

On Saturday afternoon in the Championship, Wigan Athletic will host an out-of-form Birmingham City at the DW Stadium, as they aim to secure their first victory in four matches. The Latics were defeated in their previous game under new management against Birmingham City, while Birmingham City's streak of poor results persisted in their last match against Luton Town.

Wigan Athletic’s Form

Shaun Maloney, a well-known figure in Wigan's history, has taken on the role of manager at DW Stadium. He has been given the responsibility of preventing the team from being relegated to a lower tier after a difficult start to the season. Despite winning the League One championship last year, Wigan has found it challenging to adjust to life in the Championship, with Leam Richardson and Kolo Toure failing to steer the team out of the relegation zone. Maloney arrived at a time when the team was struggling, but he has made a positive start as a manager, earning six points from his first five games, with only one loss in that time. Unfortunately, their most recent match against Preston North End resulted in their 16th league loss of the season, with goals from Daniel Johnson and Thomas Cannon sealing Wigan's fate. The current bottom-four teams in the Championship have all made managerial changes recently and have seen some improvements, making it a difficult task for Maloney to keep Wigan in the division.

Wigan Athletic’s possible starting lineup

Fletcher, Lang, Keane, McClean, Tiehi, Power, Darikwa, Nyambe, Whatmough, Hughes and Amos

Birmingham City’s Form

Birmingham is aware that a defeat at the DW Stadium this Saturday could potentially drag them into the relegation battle. The team has lost four consecutive league matches and their latest game against Luton at St Andrew's was lacklustre due to injuries, resulting in a goal from Carlton Morris early in the second half. Currently positioned at 19th place in the second-tier standings, John Eustace's side has a seven-point lead over Huddersfield Town in 22nd, although the Terriers have played one game less. Eustace, formerly with Kidderminster Harriers, has been frustrated by the goals his team has conceded since returning from the World Cup break and has been experimenting with different tactics in an attempt to rectify the situation. With a game against Wigan coming up this weekend, followed by a crucial match against Rotherham United a week later, the future of the club's season will become clearer after these two fixtures.

Birmingham City’s predicted lineup

Khadra, Jutkiewicz, Longelo, Chong, Hannibal, Gardner, Colin, Long, Roberts, Dean and Ruddy

Wigan Athletic vs Birmingham City expert tips

Despite their loss to Preston last weekend, Wigan exhibited moments of impressive gameplay and will aim to secure a victory against struggling Birmingham to remain in the Championship. However, Birmingham has several injury concerns going into their crucial match on Saturday in Wigan. Our prediction is a win for Wigan Athletic with less than 2.5 goals in the game.