Accrington will hope their recent burnout slide is addressed against relegation-threatened Wigan

John Coleman spoke of a tired squad in recent weeks and he will hope to arrest the slide against relegation-threatened Wigan.

Accrington have lost three in a row in the league, including a 4-1 heavy defeat to Bristol Rovers and this season’s overachievers will hope that they can regain some form heading into the backend of the season.

They still have two games in hand on Charlton, meaning they could sit in the playoff places if they win those games and results go their way so the season is very much alive for Stanley.

Coleman will be without the likes of Joe Pritchard, Colby Bishop and Nathan Baxter, three key players in what has made this campaign such a success for the reds.

Top scorer Dion Charles, who has scored 17 league goals this season, has been handed his first call-up to the Northern Ireland squad, meaning Accrington will be without their two top strikers in coming weeks but he is available for this one.

As for the visitors, Leam Richardson has somehow kept Wigan alive in the battle against relegation despite a backdrop of carnage surrounding the club’s ownership issues.

The Latics are a point about Northampton who occupy the remaining relegation place and go into this game with three matches unbeaten, including an impressive 2-0 win away at Plymouth.

What makes this even more impressive is that they are doing this without the likes of Kyle Joseph who remains on the sidelines and has provided five goals so far this season.

Callum Lang’s reintroduction to the squad following his time in Scotland has also provided a positive impact with six goals in 12 appearances offering yet another attacking outlet for Richardson’s side.

Scott Wootton and Curtis Tilt have provided a steady backdrop at the heart of the central defence which has given the Latics a platform to build on and the emergence of youth talents like left back Luke Robinson have helped maintain an element of consistency amid the backdrop of chaos.

Stanley will be well aware of the threat Wigan possess in this fixture and it is vitally important to them that they do not make it four defeats in a row as the dream of a playoff place will look far in the distance if that is the outcome.

The 3-5-2 system that has worked so well for Accrington has had to be shelved due to injury problems and a 4-2-3-1 has not had the same impact as the previous structure that allowed them a glimpse of playoff glory.

With that in mind, Wigan will look to exploit the fatigued Stanley lineup but they still have to be aware of the number of talents that remain in Accrington’s starting team.

Adam Phillips, Sean McConville and Dion Charles are all capable of providing a spark and threat in the final third and it is important that the Latics maintain composure defensively if they are to cause an upset on Saturday.

Likewise, Accrington must be aware of the likes of Jamie Proctor and Gavin Massey who also provide a spark in the final third.

It is an intriguing contest and quite close to call, which is something that would not have been stated a few months ago, owing to Wigan’s determination to survive against the odds.

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