Wigan vs Sheffield Utd prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2022-12-18 20:00.
With Wigan fans delighted to see Kolo Touré occupy the DW Stadium hotseat, there was reason for cautious optimism after a 1-1 draw against Millwall in his managerial bow. Touré will now walk out in front of the Latics home faithful for the first time, but with promotion-chasing Sheffield United the visitors, he could hardly have handpicked a much tougher assignment.
With a new manager in charge and coming into this game on the back of their longest unbeaten league run (W1, D1) since September, at least Wigan are carrying a little momentum in their bid to avoid an instant return to League One. However, with just one win in their last six home league H2Hs against Sheffield United (D2, L3), Touré has his work cut out to keep the feelgood factor alive at the DW Stadium.
If Wigan’s sole focus is on avoiding the trap door, Sheffield United’s is almost certainly on promotion as they seek a return to the Premier League at the second time of asking. The Blades have managed to put last season’s play-off semi-final heartbreak behind them and after pulling five points clear of the team in third place at the conclusion of round 22, they look good value to avoid the lottery of the play-offs this campaign.
Their lofty position is in part due to the misfortunes of those beneath them, but with five wins from their last six league games (L1), few can argue that the Blades are undeserving of their place in the standings. Perhaps even more impressively, three of those victories have come on the road, and with each being accompanied by a clean sheet, Sheffield United might feel one goal will be enough for victory here.
Key battle: Curtis Tilt was Wigan’s match winner in their last home outing with his third successive goal to arrive after half-time. His main focus here will likely be on keeping Oli McBurnie quiet though, with the Sheffield United frontman grabbing five goal contributions from his last six appearances (G4, A1), whilst also netting the game’s final goal on three occasions during that run.
Hot streak: Wigan are the only Championship team not to lead at half-time in a home league game this season (HT: D7, L4).