Wigan reliant on home record to take them through Tractor Boys test

Wigan Athletic have never lost to Ipswich Town at home in any competition and are on a run of four straight wins against them in all competitions. They are worthy 23/20 favourites with Coral to keep that streak of victories going.

Mick McCarthy’s men may be 13/5 outsiders for three points from this trip to the DW Stadium, but a win would move them to the cusp of a play-off place. It’s in those top six spaces that Latics counterpart Uwe Rosler would expect his side to be, having finished in the mix for promotion last term.

Instead, Wigan are 17th, next to fellow 2014 play-off semi-finalists Brighton on eight points. Rosler is being let down by away form, with the Latics yet to taste victory on their travels this term, but luckily this encounter is at home where they have won the last two to nil. More appealing odds of 11/5 say the hosts beat the Tractor Boys without reply. A rare draw in this fixture is 23/10.

Scotland defender Christophe Berra is the only Ipswich player to have scored on the road for them this season with three in all competitions. Wigan will have to be wary of his set piece threat, and the former Wolves and Hearts man is a 12/1 chance for a goal anytime.

Irish forward Daryl Murphy will also be a danger for winger after netting in both of his last two outings. His partnership with David McGoldrick remains key to the Suffolk side’s hopes. Murphy, once of Sunderland and Celtic, is 2/1 to strike again anytime and a 7/1 shot score last.

Wingers pushed into a support striking role in Rosler’s 3-5-2 formation may be punters’ best bets in the markets for goals. Callum McManaman bagged a brace in the last match at the DW, and is 7/4 to net anytime, or a 9/1 chance to repeat his double or do better.

Republic of Ireland winger James McClean may be the horse for this particular course, though. He also netted twice in last term’s reverse fixture back in March at Portman Road. He returned from a hamstring problem in the Latics’ previous outing at Huddersfield Town. McClean is a tempting 10/3 in the anytime market, 9/1 to net last (as he did when the sides last met) and 18/1 for two or more.