- U23 Preview | Latics v Sheffield United
- Nick Chadwick's side have won every game in 2020 so far.
- Latics on 10-game unbeaten run in all competitions.
WIGAN ATHLETIC V SHEFFIELD UNITED
UNDER 23 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
THURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY 2020, 2.00PM
CHRISTOPHER PARK
Latics host Sheffield United on Thursday afternoon, aiming to continue their 10-match unbeaten run in all competitions, a sequence dating back to the end of November.
Nick Chadwick's side have won all seven of their fixtures in 2020 so far, progressing through the group stage of the Central League Cup and qualifying for the semi-final of the Lancashire FA Senior Cup in the process.
Latics have won their last three Professional Development League games, seeing off leaders Nottingham Forest 3-2 in their last league outing, having won 2-0 away at Birmingham City and 4-1 at home to Barnsley beforehand.
Recent form in the league means Latics are fifth in the table on 30 points from 18 games, 11 points behind Forest with a game in hand. Victory over the Blades would pull Latics level with Birmingham in fourth.
It's been a difficult season for Sheffield United's youngsters, who sit second from bottom in 10th on 17 points from 21 matches.
The young Blades are winless in five league games, picking up their last victory on 10 December, 1-0 away win at Barnsley, the very same team they last faced in the league earlier this month in a 1-1 draw.
Previous Meeting
The reverse fixture was the last game Latics didn't win, with seven straight victories coming after a 2-2 draw in South Yorkshire.
U18 first year apprentice Baba Adeeko and first year professional Divin Baningime scored the goals for Latics that day, but Chadwick's side were denied all three points by a 93rd minute Jake Young equaliser.
In Other News
Latics had their match day five fixture of the U23 Premier League Cup postponed on Monday evening. A trip to face Huddersfield Town in the group stage was scheduled to be played at Guiseley AFC, but a waterlogged pitch means the fixture is due to be rearranged.
Elsewhere, there's been more positive news on the international front, with U18 duo Kyle Joseph and Luke Robinson named in Billy Stark's Scotland U19 squad once again. The pair have been heavily involved in Latics' U23 fixtures this season, with striker Joseph scoring one goal in three of the four competitions Latics take part in. Both were involved in the U18s' 4-0 victory in the FA Youth Cup against Birmingham City last week, with Joseph on target for the sixth time in the tournament. Scotland will face a double-header against Czech Republic on Tuesday 18 February and Thursday 20 February.
Team News
Latics: Gyollai, Golden, Obi, Long, Webber, Perry, Smith, Merrie (Capt), Baningime, C.Jolley, Joseph
Subs: Aspinall, L.Robinson, H.Jolley, McGurk, Weir
Sheffield United: Kelly, Williams, Boyes, Belehouan, Hall, Gomis, Brunt, Neal, Ompreon, Young, Gribbin
Subs: Gordon, Chapman, Gaxha, Andall-Gibbons, Jebbison
