League One: Rochdale seek overturn of former Wigan woes

Rochdale have become draw specialists in recent weeks, coming into this Wigan encounter on the back of four stalemates, including three 0-0 results, and they are 9/4 for another share of the spoils this time out.

The Dale recently managed to dispatch Swindon Town in their FA Cup clash though, securing a 3-1 home ruling over their travelling opponents, with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing hitting a hat-trick, and the 23-year-old wideman is 15/2 to open proceedings in his latest appearance.

Lund absence gives Hill headache

An injury to midfielder Matty Lund has given Rochdale boss Hill further selection headaches, with the Northern Irishman having been withdrawn from his side’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat to Morecambe on Tuesday because of a thigh strain.

Lund will join attacking trio Callum Camps (ankle), Ian Henderson (foot) and Reuben Noble-Lazarus (shoulder) on the sidelines for the Latics liaison, while Jamie Allen is set for a return after coming back into full training following a dead leg.

Wigan’s new loan acquisition Alex Revell will come into Caldwell’s astute attacking ranks, and is 21/10 to strike anytime at Spotland, following his temporary switch from Cardiff City.

Will Grigg is away on international duty with Northern Ireland, but the visitors still have the likes of Yanic Wildschut, Michael Jacobs, Craig Davies and Jordy Hiwula to call upon. The latter netted twice in midweek and is 15/8 to dispatch anytime again on the road.

Contrasting paths

The two northern clubs haven’t met since 1999, with Wigan having won three times to nil that campaign, and they are 13/4 to do so again here, though a lot has changed since that previous meeting.

Between their previous encounter and now, Wigan have since climbed all the way to the top tier, winning the FA Cup in 2013 and, as a result of their heroics under Harry Redknapp, competed in the Europa League.

Though, while the Latics flourished, Rochdale remained in the same division, where they had been since 1974, until Hill guided them to a long-awaited promotion during the 2009/10 campaign.

Hill, now in his second stint as boss, will look to guide his men towards a first victory in six domestic outings on home soil, against a side who are undefeated since mid-September, as the new pair collide for the first time in 14 years.

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Coral’s top tip: Rochdale have drawn their last four games in League One and could hold Wigan on home soil again, so back them for another share of the points at 9/4.