Wednesday, December 14, 2016

10 in 10: Wigan v Newcastle: Rafa Benitez could shuffle his pack

The 10 in 10 action continues as Wigan welcome Newcastle. Watch live coverage on SS1 from 7.30pm on Wednesday.
The 10 in 10 action continues as Wigan welcome Newcastle. Watch live coverage on SS1 from 7.30pm on Wednesday.

The Sky Bet Championship force of nature that is Newcastle United rolls into Wigan on Wednesday evening for game six of 10 in 10, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm.

Rafa Benitez's men have won 14 of their last 18 Sky Bet Championship games and before losing to Blackburn on November 26, they had won nine straight games. It was the club's best winning run since 1994 under Kevin Keegan.

Wigan vs Newcastle

December 14, 2016, 7:30pm

Live on Sky Sports 1 HD

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The Toon have the best away record in the Championship __with 22 points, and have conceded just five goals away from St James' Park this season.

Wigan currently sit second bottom of the Championship, and have registered just four wins in the division all season.

Scoring goals has been a big problem for the Latics this season - they are the lowest scorers in the Championship __with just 16.

They are currently on a joint club record run of four successive home league games without a goal and have failed to score in six of last seven games at the DW Stadium. 

David Prutton selects his key men for the 10 in 10 match between Wigan and Newcastle
David Prutton selects his key men for the 10 in 10 match between Wigan and Newcastle

Team news

Wigan have a selection problem at right-back with Reece Burke heading back to his parent club West Ham in order to recover from a hip problem. Nathan Byre is back in training but will not be ready to play 90 minutes. Manager Warren Joyce has said Luke Garbutt will fill in at full-back.

Newcastle boss Benitez has selection dilemmas with Aleksandar Mitrovic, Ayoze Perez and Christian Atsu all coming into contention for a start.

Rob Elliot is back after nine months out and Benitez says he is in his plans and will battle for the No 1 spot with Karl Darlow and Matz Sels.

Ciaran Clark has called on his Newcastle team-mates to make sure they are top of the Championship at Christmas
Ciaran Clark has called on his Newcastle team-mates to make sure they are top of the Championship at Christmas

Opta stats

Wigan have won six of their seven home league meetings with Newcastle, losing the other in January 2011 (0-1).

Newcastle have scored just three goals in their seven league visits to the DW Stadium, and never more than once in a match.

The Latics have failed to score in nine of their last 13 league games (W3 D5 L5), including four of the last five.

Newcastle have won nine of their last 11 league games (L2), although their last defeat came in their most recent away trip.

Highlights of Aston Villa
Highlights of Aston Villa's 1-0 win over Wigan in the Sky Bet Championship

Prutton's key men

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jussi Jaaskelainen (Wigan)

"As you'd expect from a man in his 40s, he's got plenty of experience. That's hugely important to Wigan, who benefit from his calming influence between the sticks."

PLAYER TO WATCH: Dwight Gayle (Newcastle)

"The Championship's top scorer brings a restless energy to Newcastle's attack. His link-up play is good, he works hard running in behind to keep defenders busy and is being rightly rewarded with the goals he's getting."

Highlights of Newcastle
Highlights of Newcastle's 4-0 win over Birmingham in the Sky Bet Championship

Prutton's prediction

Newcastle are flying while things are getting tougher for Wigan, who haven't scored in their last four home league games. That could be five after this one as Newcastle are so solid on the road. They've won 22 points away this season - a joint-high away points haul in the top four divisions with Scunthorpe - and conceded just five goals on the road.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 0-3 (Sky Bet odds: 12/1)