Wigan vs Burnley prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2022-08-26 14:00.
Despite two divisions separating Wigan and Burnley last season, it’s Leam Richardson’s League One champions who have had arguably the better start to the season. A four-match unbeaten run (W1, D3) to open their league campaign has perhaps caught some Wigan fans off-guard, with a 1-0 victory over Birmingham last weekend, despite spending the best part of 80 minutes with ten men, highlighting the heart and desire within the Wigan ranks.
The visit of newly-relegated Burnley perhaps represents Wigan’s biggest challenge yet, but with a proud ten-match unbeaten Championship home run to preserve (W5, D5), the Latics ought not to be fazed. History would indicate the balance will be tipped in favour of the draw column here though, with both prior Championship H2Hs on Wigan soil ending 0-0.
Another 0-0 here would probably suit Burnley from a defensive point of view, having not kept a Championship clean sheet since the opening day – although they have also failed to win in that same time (D3, L1). It was a leaky defence which cost Burnley again last weekend, squandering a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 against Blackpool, with Vincent Kompany insisting that his side were punished for making mistakes.
The dismissal of Ian Maatsen leaves Burnley even lighter in the defensive department here, but with just two goals conceded across their last five away games at Championship level (W4, L1), a return to the road may be welcome. In fact, a 1-0 defeat at Watford on their last away league outing ended a 12-match unbeaten Championship away run (W9, D3) for the Clarets, which also incidentally started against a side promoted from League One the previous season (W 5-0 vs MK Dons).
Players to watch: In a heartwarming football story, Wigan’s Charlie Wyke announced his return to competitive football following a cardiac arrest with the assist for Wigan’s winning goal against Birmingham. Meanwhile, Burnley’s Nathan Tella netted a first-half double against Blackpool, but has never scored a professional away league goal.
Hot streak: There’s been exactly one first-half goal in each of Burnley’s last five Championship away games.