Match Preview | Latics v Bolton Wanderers

A closer look into Saturday’s game as Latics host Bolton Wanderers at the DW Stadium

• Match Preview | Latics v Bolton Wanderers
• A closer look into Saturday’s game at the DW Stadium
• Leam Richardson’s side will be aiming to make it six unbeaten in Sky Bet League One

Wigan Athletic will host near-neighbours Bolton Wanderers in Sky Bet League One on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 12:30pm).

Leam Richardson’s men head into this fixture in high spirits after winning four out of their last five league matches, including their 4-1 triumph over Morecambe prior to the international break. Saturday’s Derby Day presents Latics with a chance to extend their unbeaten run to six games and climb to the top of the league table. 

The international break has provided Latics with the opportunity to head to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp, and recharge both physically and mentally ahead of the final block of fixtures in the 2021/22 campaign. 

Bolton Wanderers, on the other hand, will arrive at the DW Stadium aiming to build on their 1-0 away victory at Crewe Alexandra a fortnight ago. Wanderers have been one of the form sides in the division and are 11 points away from the Play-Offs ahead of their final seven fixtures.

Latics will be able to complete the ‘double’ over the Trotters with a victory after Richardson’s side prevailed in the reverse meeting at the University of Bolton Stadium back in October last year thanks to goals from Will Keane, James McClean (2) and Callum Lang.

FORM GUIDE - LAST SIX IN ALL COMPETITIONS

Latics: WWD*DWW

*Lost 6-7 to Sutton United on penalties in the Papa John’s Trophy

Bolton Wanderers: WLWDLW

THEIR SEASON SO FAR | BOLTON WANDERERS

Currently sitting in 11th place in Sky Bet League One, Bolton Wanderers will be hoping to maintain their impressive form and make a strong finish to the 2021/22 campaign. 

After winning promotion from League Two at the first time of asking, Wanderers made several reinforcements over the summer as they looked to build on their achievements last term. 

They managed to capture star loan players Declan John and Dapo Afolayan on permanent deals, while further strengthening their defensive options with the arrivals of goalkeeper Joel Dixon, former Latics man George Johnston, and central defender Will Aimson. Ian Evatt's side also added some more firepower with former Coventry City striker Amadou Bakayoko and ex-Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town marksman Elias Kachunga joining on free transfers. 

It was certainly an exciting start to the 2021/22 campaign for Evatt's men with Wanderers being involved in two consecutive 3-3 draws with MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon before earning their first victory of the season at Lincoln City. After following up the win with a 2-1 triumph over Oxford United, they ended August with a narrow defeat at Cambridge United. 

Starting September with a stalemate against Burton Albion, Wanderers then recorded an emphatic 5-2 victory at Ipswich Town before succumbing to consecutive defeats against Rotherham United and Sunderland. They, however, finished the month strongly with another huge away win at Charlton Athletic. October proved to be a difficult month for the Trotters as they picked up four points from six matches, falling to defeats against Sheffield Wednesday, Latics, Plymouth Argyle and Portsmouth. 

A 2-0 victory over Crewe Alexandra was followed by a narrow defeat at Wycombe Wanderers at the start of November, with the Trotters then earning four points from their fixtures against Doncaster Rovers and Cheltenham Town. After falling to four straight defeats between December and January, their fortunes drastically changed with the winter arrivals of goalkeeper James Trafford, defender Marlon Fossey, midfielder Aaron Morley and forward Dion Charles inspiring a four-match winning streak, an impressive run that included a memorable 6-0 victory over Sunderland. 

February saw Wanderers obtain 13 points from a possible 21, including victories over Charlton Athletic, Oxford United, AFC Wimbledon and Lincoln City. They carried on their excellent form into March, starting the month with a 3-0 win at Gillingham before rescuing a late point against Morecambe. After falling to a narrow defeat at fourth place Plymouth Argyle, Wanderers left it late to defeat Crewe Alexandra in their last league fixture ahead of their trip to the DW Stadium. 

With Wanderers having enjoyed a real resurgence of late, Evatt's side will be aiming to finish the season strongly and mount a late push for a place in the League One Play-Offs. 

PLAYER FOCUS | DION CHARLES

A January arrival from fellow Sky Bet League One side Accrington Stanley, forward Dion Charles has become an instant hit at the University of Bolton Stadium. 

The 26-year-old came through the Academy at Blackpool and scored on his only first-team appearance at Bloomfield Road before making the move to AFC Fylde in 2014. Charles was a huge success at National League North level, and his excellent form for the Coasters earned him a move back to the EFL with Fleetwood Town two years later. After finding game-time limited with the Cod Army, Charles spent a period on loan with Halifax Town before returning to the National League North with Southport after being convinced to sign by then-manager and former Bolton Wanderers striker Kevin Davies in January 2018. 

In his only full season with the Sandgrounders, Charles scored 14 times in 41 league appearances to once again secure a return to the EFL, this time moving to Accrington Stanley in 2019. After notching nine goals in his first year at the Wham Stadium, Charles became one of the most prolific marksmen in the third tier after he hit 19 goals in 38 league appearances last term. He later made the switch to the University of Bolton Stadium in January this year, with his stunning first goal for the Club at Shrewsbury Town winning the League One 'Goal of the Month' award. 

Popular with the Wanderers supporters due to his hard-working and committed performances, Charles has already notched six goals in 16 appearances and will be a huge threat for the away side, should he be involved at the DW Stadium this afternoon.  

LATICS LINKS

There are five current connections between the two sides, with Latics manager Leam Richardson spending three years with Bolton Wanderers between 2000 and 2003 during his time as a player.

Peter Atherton, who began his career at Wigan Athletic and made over 150 appearances for his hometown Club, is the current assistant manager at Bolton Wanderers.

Latics goalkeeper Ben Amos spent four years at Bolton Wanderers after making a permanent move from Manchester United following a successful initial loan spell in 2015. Josh Magennis, who joined Latics in January, also previously spent a year at the University of Bolton Stadium in the 2018/19 campaign. 

A familiar face in Ian Evatt’s side, George Johnston could be in contention to line up against Latics at the DW Stadium. Johnston helped the Club survive relegation last term before moving to Bolton Wanderers in the following summer.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Latics and Bolton Wanderers have previously met 46 times in senior competitions since their first-ever encounter in December 1983, with 17 victories for Latics, 15 wins for Bolton, and 14 draws.

The last league meeting between the two sides took place in October last year, with Latics running out as 4-0 winners at the University of Bolton Stadium, as seen below.