Barnsley vs Wigan Predictions

• Wigan have the joint-best record across the last eight games, taking 19 points from 24
• The Latics kept their eighth clean sheet in nine games in their win over QPR
• The visitors have won four of their last five games
• Wigan have won to nil in 11 of their 14 league victories this season

Relegation six-pointer

Wigan may sit 15th in the table and joint-top of the form table, but there’s little doubt this is a huge relegation six-pointer. As it stands, these two sides will be heading to League One next season. Barnsley are second from bottom after drawing 1-1 with Luton in midweek, a missed opportunity which has left them four points short of safety.

Meanwhile, Wigan still have a potential 12 point penalty hanging over them. If their appeal to the EFL is rejected, then they’d drop from 15th to 23rd place, pushing Barnsley up into 22nd. The Latics need to give themselves a 12 point cushion over the bottom three in the run-in to survive, but with four games to go the gap is only eight points. Our predictions suggest that Wigan could grow their lead this weekend.

Wigan continue incredible run

Wigan may be in trouble, but it’s hard to see that in their results on the pitch. No side has more points across the last eight games than the Latics, who have claimed 19 points from 24 in that time. That record is equal with what Brentford and Leeds have been posting in their promotion push. With the second-best record in 2020 in the Championship, relegation due to administration would be an awful blow for Wigan.

The visitors continued their great run with their midweek success against QPR. That 1-0 win saw them keep their eighth clean sheet in nine games, which is also an incredible record for a side fighting the drop. That excellent defensive return will give them a chance in any game, but especially a clash with a Barnsley side who have conceded in 81% of their home matches this season.

Major boost for Latics

With Barnsley losing seven times at home this season, we see a chance for Wigan to continue their push for survival. Barnsley’s last two games have brought a 4-0 hammering by Stoke and a 1-1 draw at home to Luton, so neither suggests that the Tykes have carried on their good form since the restart. Wigan have won four of their last five games and they’ve claimed four victories in their last six trips. Despite that they’ve been priced up as outsiders here, so we’re taking the value on Wigan to add to their great run.

The Latics have claimed wins to nil in four of their last five matches, conceding in just three of their 14 league wins this term. With Wigan scoring 22 times in 21 away matches, we are going with a 1-0 away win as our correct score prediction here.