Can Oxford United Continue Their Play-Off Push Against Basement Boys Wigan Athletic?

Three points separate Oxford in ninth and Charlton Athletic in sixth, and the home side will undoubtedly be looking to break into the Play-Offs against Wigan on Sunday. Wigan, meanwhile, are at real risk of falling into the relegation zone.

Oxford United and Wigan Athletic’s circumstances as clubs could not be more different. Oxford are a club on the up, quickly gaining pace in what at this stage has to be considered as a promotion push to the Championship. Wigan, in contrast, are in complete turmoil on and off the pitch.

After dropping into the third tier due to a points deduction last season, the Latics are still without an owner – seven months after they were placed into administration. The EFL rejected a takeover bid from Spanish businessman José Miguel Garrido Cristo in late 2020, and the it looks increasingly likely that Wigan’s new moneyman (whoever that may be) will be inheriting a League Two side, rather than a League One side, given Wigan’s current predicament.

A 1-0 win in their last outing away at fellow strugglers Northampton Town means Wigan fight another day. But up against Karl Robinson’s in-form Oxford side, Leam Richardson’s Wigan likely won’t be holding out hope for a positive result. A fairly dismal 1.08PPG in away fixtures so far this season isn’t appalling – relative to their league position at least – but Oxford’s 1.82PPG at home won’t inspire confidence into Wigan fans nor players.

Oxford, who beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 on Tuesday night, are gunning for both a spot in the top six and a second Wembley appearance within a year. A semi-final tie against Trammere Rovers next Tuesday is all that stands between them and the Papa John’s Trophy Final.

In fact, Sunday’s tie against Wigan marks seven months plus one day exactly since the U’s were beaten in the League One Play-Off final by Wycombe Wanderers – somewhat ironic given it’s a Play-Off spot that Oxford will occupy should they win and results go their way on Sunday afternoon.

The ending of Oxford’s eight game winning run away at Doncaster Rovers on February 6th hasn’t seemed to have had an adverse effect on the U’s, who sit fifth in the table for goals scored.

The addition of striker Elliot Lee, who joined on loan from Luton Town on deadline day, is already off the mark for Oxford, scoring the first in the U’s victory in Bristol on Tuesday night. Robinson has praised the effect that fellow forward Sam Winnall is having on strike partner Matty Taylor, who only compliments Lee further.

With the fixture moved back to Sunday, Valentines celebrations will have to wait for either set of players. However, if Oxford can dismantle a shaky Wigan defence in two days time, then the U’s romance with the League One Play-Offs will get all the more serious. Similarly, an extra day’s rest may prove crucial for Oxford; injuries to Sam Long and James Henry may have settled sufficiently to involve them in the matchday squad.

The same can be said for Wigan, who simply have to avoid defeat (providing results go their way) on Sunday. Should Leam Richardson’s side be overpowered by the attacking options that Oxford have in abundance, the only love affair that the Latics will be entering into will be one with the relegation zone.

Team News:

Oxford’s dynamic right sided duo of Sam Long and James Henry both picked up muscle injuries against Bristol Rovers. The pair’s injuries aren’t thought to be serious, but there is a possibility that they’ll miss out against Wigan. Marcus McGuane will definitely be missing for Oxford.

The away side are definitely missing centre back Tom Pearce, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury. New Latics signing Jamie Proctor is self isolating, and therefore will not feature.

Head to Head:

Oxford and Wigan have faced off against each other seven times since the introduction of the modern Football League season. Wigan have won six of these ties, including a 7-0 route against the U’s in 2017, and Oxford one.