Wigan Athletic and Northampton Town will meet on the opening day of the League One season this Saturday afternoon. The fixture at the Brick Community Stadium will be a repeat of the clash from the final day of the last season, when the two drew 1-1 at Sixfields.
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Wigan vs Northampton prediction: Tight encounter to start the season
Key Stats
- Despite losing their final two away games of last season, Northampton have taken 11 points from 21 available in their last seven league matches on the road.
- Wigan’s tally of 41 goals conceded in the 2024-25 season was only bettered by the top two, Birmingham City and Wrexham.
- Both teams have scored in the last four H2H meetings between these teams.
Correct score prediction: Wigan 1-1 Northampton
Both clubs are hoping for better fortunes this season, and it is tough to separate them in this early-season encounter, with Wigan needing to drastically improve on their attacking output from last year.
Pre-game odds and win probability: No clear favourite for this league opener
- HOME: 5/4 (2.25) – 44.4%
- DRAW: 21/10 (3.10) – 32.3%
- AWAY: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Wigan are favoured in the markets, but that will purely be down to home advantage, so there is some value in backing a draw, especially here, at 21/10.
Scoring goals was not the strong point for Wigan, but they were effective in keeping them out, so it is no surprise that under 2.5 goals is priced as lowly as 6/11 here.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Wigan largely dominant
It is now approaching 25 years since Northampton last beat Wigan in front of a crowd, with their 3-2 win behind closed doors in 2020 representing their only success in 13 meetings.
Wigan won 2-1 in this fixture last season, before the two sides drew 1-1 on the final day at Sixfields, with Dale Taylor scoring a last-gasp equaliser for the Latics.
England League 1 03/05/25
Northampton
Wigan
England League 1 26/11/24
Wigan
Northampton
England League 1 12/10/24
Wigan
Northampton
England League 1 13/01/24
Northampton
Wigan
England League 1 12/08/23
Wigan
Northampton
Wigan preview: Seeking to bolster attack
Paul Mullin is set for his debut after joining from Wrexham over the summer, while Dara Costelloe could also feature against the club where he spent last season on loan.
Dion Rankine is out injured for the hosts, but they have been able to welcome back Tyrese Francois, Stephen Sessegnon and Matt Smith from injury in recent weeks.
Predicted lineup: Tickle (GK), Carragher, Kerr, Mellish, Sessengnon, Smith, Weir, Francois, Darcy, Mullin & Costelloe
England League 1 03/05/25
D
Northampton
1
Wigan
1
England League 1 29/04/25
D
Burton Albion
1
Wigan
1
England League 1 26/04/25
D
Blackpool
1
Wigan
1
England League 1 21/04/25
W
Rotherham
0
Wigan
1
England League 1 18/04/25
W
Shrewsbury
0
Wigan
1
Northampton preview: Debut for defender to come
Michael Forbes is in line to make his competitive debut after being brought in from manager Kevin Nolan’s former club West Ham United, but Tom Eaves, Jon Guthrie and Liam Shaw are still recovering from injury.
Predicted lineup: Burge (GK), Burroughs, Forbes, Thorniley, Wormleighton, McGeehan, Campbell, Perkins, Hoskins, Jacobs & Fornah
England League 1 03/05/25
D
Wigan
1
Northampton
1
England League 1 26/04/25
L
Crawley Town
3
Northampton
0
England League 1 21/04/25
W
Shrewsbury
1
Northampton
4
England League 1 18/04/25
L
Charlton
2
Northampton
1
England League 1 12/04/25
D
Reading
0
Northampton
0
Player to watch: Paul Mullin
Mullin’s move on loan from Wrexham is possibly the most high-profile transfer in League One this summer, but after struggling for game time with the Welsh club in this division last year, he will hope to improve on his meagre tally of three goals.
The 30-year-old netted 24 goals when Wrexham won promotion from League Two in 2023-24, after plundering 38 in the National League, so if he can find his shooting boots at this level, he could turn out to be the signing of the season.