Oldham Athletic and Wigan Athletic go head-to-head in Sky Bet League 1 this weekend, with plenty at stake for both sides.
It will be the first meeting between the pair in more than 12 years, since April 2003, and Oldham will want to rectify their recent history against Wigan, who have taken all three points in five of their last six clashes.In fact, the last time Oldham prevailed as the winning team in this fixture was on Boxing Day 2000, when Lee Duxbury and Mark Allott goals secured a 2-1 win.
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There has also never been a 0-0 draw between the two, meaning goals are likely to be on the agenda in their 14th match-up.
Cause for optimism
Oldham may be seeking their first League win in six games this weekend, but there is plenty of reasons to be hopeful.
Following Darren Kelly's dismissal after their 5-1 thumping by Peterborough United, David Dunn has taken interim charge at the club, and oversaw his side fight back from a goal down to draw 1-1 at Doncaster Rovers last week.
They're also one of four sides currently on eight points, meaning a positive result would likely lift them from their current standing in the Sky Bet League 1 relegation places.
Oldham may have only won once this term, but they’ve also lost just twice from their opening eight fixtures, with five draws at the heart of their early season set-back. Michael Higdon has arrived on loan from Sheffield United this week, to help boost Dunn's attacking options.
Climbing the table
Wigan, on the contrary, are heading in the other direction up the table, courtesy of three wins in their last four games.
The other Latics, under the guidance of Gary Caldwell, are eighth, and only outside the Play-Off places on goal difference. A win for them this weekend could push them as high as fourth - a strong standing considering they took only four points from the first 12 available this season.
Can Oldham bag a second win of the season? Or will Wigan continue their rise up the table? We'll have all the action covered on Twitter this Saturday, via @SkyBetLeague1.