Squaring off for the first time since their titanic battle for Premier League survival in 2007, Wigan host Sheffield United in a highly-anticipated Boxing Day clash.
Blades fans will remember the day, 14th May 2007, a day on which a David Unsworth penalty sent Sheffield United to the Championship after only one season in the Premier League whilst Wigan secured survival barely.
Eight years on, whilst this match won’t be deciding the immediate fate of either team, it could certainly be three crucial points that prove the difference between the two sides come the end of the season.
With loanees Sean Murray, Alex Revell and Francisco Junior all having returned to their parent clubs in the past week, Wigan will be forced to make changes to their squad to compensate for the departures.
Sheffield United will again be without second top-scorer Che Adams, who will be serving the final game of his three match suspension after receiving a red card against Oldham in the two sides’ FA Cup second round matchup.
The game will mark the halfway point in the season for both clubs, and The Blades with a win could close to within one point of their promotion rivals Wigan. The Latics however will be desperate to close the gap between the top two and themselves, whilst also attempting to separate themselves and the pack of playoff-chasing teams immediately below them.
Sheffield United’s star striker Billy Sharp spoke to the Sheffield Telegraph this week ahead of the Boxing Day fixture, expressing his excitement to be part of such an anticipated match.
“I always thought Wigan would be up there come the end of the season. They have a strong squad and, although they had a slow start, they’re starting to pick up now.” Sharp said.
“It should be a good game; another tight one, I would have thought. Hopefully, we can keep things tight and get another good result.”
On the other side of the matchup, Latics boss Gary Caldwell spoke to Wigan’s club website about the importance of the fixture.
“It’s a big fixture on the calendar. We’re both clubs with big aspirations to get back up into the Championship.” Caldwell said.
With both teams having been tipped for promotion at the start of the season, each side will be hoping to nab all three points to prop up their promotion hopes as the League One season races into 2016.
