A closer look into Tuesday’s game at the Hawthorns
- Match Preview | West Bromwich Albion v Latics
- A closer look into Tuesday’s game at the Hawthorns
- Shaun Maloney’s side will be aiming to build on their 1-1 draw against Birmingham City
Wigan Athletic will travel to face West Bromwich Albion in the Sky Bet Championship on Tuesday evening (kick-off 8pm).
Shaun Maloney’s side will arrive at the Hawthorns, aiming to use their 1-1 draw with Birmingham City as a platform to build from.
Latics recovered from an early set back at the DW Stadium to earn an invaluable point in their fight for survival, and Maloney’s side will have to call upon that never-say-die fighting spirit once again when they come up against the Baggies.
Tuesday’s fixture is Latics’ first of their final four matches prior to the March international break, and they will be hoping to use the congested period to their advantage by registering as many points on the board as possible.
It certainly won’t be an easy task going to the homes of West Brom and former Premier League sides Burnley and Watford, and Latics will have to follow the Club’s proud motto of #BELIEVE if they are to pick up any points.
The phrase #BELIEVE has always been synonymous with the Football Club and its proud history of defying the odds, and it is rather fitting as the team approaches the business end of the 2022/23 Championship campaign.
Over 500 supporters will be making the long midweek trip to the Midlands, and Maloney’s side will be more than determined to put in a performance that rewards the fans’ immense commitment levels.
West Brom, on the other hand, will come into the back of a 2-0 defeat against Hull City on Friday evening.
Despite their most recent result, the Baggies are currently on a nine-game unbeaten home run in all competitions, with their last defeat at the Hawthorns coming against Sheffield United in October last year. They say all good things must come to an end, and Latics will be hoping that they can be the team that puts a halt to West Brom’s undefeated home streak.
FORM GUIDE - LAST SIX IN ALL COMPETITIONS
Latics: DWDDLD
West Brom: WLDLWL
OPPOSITION OVERVIEW
One of the Football League’s founding members, West Bromwich Albion were initially founded in 1878 as ‘West Bromwich Strollers’, before changing to its current name two years later.
Albion have spent most of their existence in the top two divisions of English football, only once plying their trade as a third-tier outfit. They have enjoyed a proud history in domestic cup competitions, being five-time winners of the FA Cup and one-time winners of the League Cup.
After being promoted to the Championship in 1993, they became a Premier League team for the first time nine years later. Many memorable promotions and relegations have followed since then for the Baggies, with the club most recently being relegated in the 2020/21 campaign.
It turned out to be a challenging season for the Baggies last term, with the Club finishing in 10th place, eight points outside the Play-Off positions. They hope to make a strong finish to the 2022/23 Championship campaign to be in with a chance to return to the Premier League again.
DANGER MAN | JOHN SWIFT
After arriving last summer from Championship counterparts Reading, John Swift will be aiming to provide the Baggies with plenty of craft and quality in the final third during the remainder of the 2022/23 Championship campaign.
Swift spent his formative years with Portsmouth and Pace Youth FC, before joining Chelsea’s Academy in 2007. He would later make his professional debut against Cardiff City on the final day of the 2013/14 campaign, replacing Eden Hazard in the dying minutes of the 2-1 victory.
The exciting playmaker would gain experience out on loan in the EFL with Rotherham United, Swindon Town and Brentford, before making a permanent move to Reading in 2016. Swift soon established himself as a key player for the Royals, gaining quite the reputation for his ability to both create and score goals in the second tier.
During a six-year stay at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, Swift scored 33 goals in 202 appearances, before opting to take on a new challenge with West Brom following the expiration of his contract.
An experienced midfielder who has played the majority of his career in the Championship, Swift will be hoping that he can build on his appearance and goals tally during the final run-in of the season.
LATICS LINK
There are just four existing connections between the two sides, three of which ply their trade at Wigan Athletic.
Martin Kelly is currently on loan at Laticx from West Brom, while James McClean had a three-year stay with the Baggies between 2015 and 2018 following his first spell with Latics.
Latics Assistant Manager Rob Kelly worked with Alan Irvine at West Bromwich Albion during the summer of 2014, before briefly taking over the reins on an interim basis prior to the arrival of Tony Pulis.
Marc Albrighton, who played alongside Latics boss Shaun Maloney and McClean during a brief loan spell at the DW Stadium in 2013, is on loan at the Hawthorns from Premier League side Leicester City.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Latics and West Brom have previously met 25 times in senior competitions since their first-ever encounter in September 1984 with 10 victories for Latics, nine wins for the Baggies, and six draws.
The last competitive meeting between the two sides took place in August 2022, with Josh Magennis on the mark for Latics in a highly-contested 1-1 draw at the DW Stadium.
2022/23 Highlights | Latics 1 West Brom 1
Latics prevailed during their last visit to the Hawthorns in February 2020, with Samy Morsy’s 73rd-minute strike proving to be decisive.
TICKETS
There will be a pay on the night facility for Latics fans wanting to back the boys on the road at The Hawthorns.
Shaun Maloney's side take on West Brom in a huge game in the Sky Bet Championship, looking to secure a vital victory in their fight for survival.
You can join them, with tickets available on the night at the Hawthorns. There will be no price increase, with cash-only sales available from the Away Ticket Office.
Tickets are priced as follows:
Adults - £25
Over 65s - £20
20-25s - £15
17-19s - £10
Under 17s - £5
PARKING NEAR THE HAWTHORNS
Official matchday parking is available at the Mercure Hotel. Supporters can pre-book their parking slots in advance by clicking here.
PYROTECHNICS
The Club would also like to remind supporters that it is illegal to bring pyrotechnics into the Hawthorns, and there are consequences for anybody who breaks the law and ground regulations. Anyone caught possessing or using pyrotechnics will be reported to the police and prosecution could result in a permanent criminal record.
Football authorities have introduced measures and stronger sanctions across the game to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviours. While fan behaviour on a matchday has shown some signs of improvement, there have been instances where pyrotechnics including flares, smoke bombs and fireworks have been found or used in stadiums.
Wigan Athletic prides itself on being a family-friendly Club, and is committed to ensuring that the field of play remains safe for players, managers and match officials, just as the stands should be for supporters.
