FA Cup: Huddersfield Town v Wigan match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s FA Cup fixture at the John Smith’s Stadium

Wigan’s Roman Golobart controversially barges into the back of Waide Fairhurst of Macclesfield in the previous round (ITV)

Wigan will feature in the FA Cup fifth round for the first time since 1987, when they make the short trip to Huddersfield to take on Mark Robins’ side. The Terriers boss was only named as manager on Thursday, with his first game in charge coming against the Premier League relegation candidates. Roberto Martinez must surely have his sights set on survival in the league, and it remains to be seen if he will field a weakened side in order to focus on next week’s key game at Reading.

The Latics knocked-out non-league side Macclesfield via a narrow 1-0 win, and it took a replay against Bournemouth to ensure they progressed past the third round. However, they go into the game having found some form, with a win and two draws in their last three games before an expected heavy defeat at Stamford Bridge.

Huddersfield have progressed past fellow Championship teams Charlton and Leicester, with the replay against the Foxes taking place just last Tuesday. With the side sitting above the relegation zone in eighteenth, Robins will be looking for an upset on Sunday – with the former Coventry manager having won the FA Cup as a player in 1990 with Manchester United.

KICK-OFF: 3.55pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS...

Huddersfield 0 Wigan 0, Division 2, April 2003

Wigan 1 (De Vos) Huddersfield 0, Division 2, December 2002

Huddersfield 0 Wigan 0, Division 2, March 2002

STATS...

Games between the two sides have often been close, with the last six fixtures ending either a draw or a one-goal victory.

They have only met once in the FA Cup before, on New Year’s Day in 1974, with Huddersfield running out 2-0 winners that day.

Huddersfield lead the head-to-head record with nine wins to Wigan’s five, along with six draws.

The Terriers’ last seven goals in all competitions have been netted by different scorers.

Roberto Martinez’s side have kept only two clean sheets in their last nine in all comps. Both were in the FA Cup.

ODDS...

Huddersfield to win: 3.55

Wigan to win: 2.24

Draw: 3.55

TV: Live on ITV at 3.55pm. Highlights on ITV at 10.15pm.