- Team form: Wigan Athletic are 24th, with 4 points from 7 games, so they are under the pump.
- Standings: Mansfield are 17th, with 8 points from 7 matches.
Latics have the edge in a close matchup
Wigan Athletic are the slight favorites for Saturday's League One 2026/2027 clash at 2.26, against Mansfield Town at 2.94, with the draw priced at 3.5. That's a fairly accurate reflection of the relative positions of the two clubs in the table, but The Latics could be worth a bet on at their odds, due to their better record in the head-to-head meetings.
Wigan are 24th in the 2026/2027 League One table with 4 points from 7, so they need to start picking up more victories soon to avoid being cut adrift. They will have been left with mixed emotions by their last 2 games, which they lost 1-0 at home to Wycombe, but then beat Blackpool 3-2 at home in the EFL Trophy 2026/2027.
Mansfield are 17th with 8 points from 7, which gives them a small cushion above the relegation zone. The Stags are also in a mixed patch of form, after drawing 2 of their last 5, holding Huddersfield to a 0-0 draw at home and then battling to a 2-2 away draw against Burton.
Goals at both ends make better bet than winner
Both teams to score at 1.6 looks the sharper bet than either team to win, because of the number of goals that have been flowing at Wigan's stadium and the fact Mansfield have scored away from home. Wigan's problems at the back will make them vulnerable to Mansfield's directness and vertical energy, which should lead to both teams getting on the scoresheet.
Wigan have 1 win and 3 losses from their 4 home games in League One 2026/2027, so home advantage has not been a big help so far for The Latics, who have conceded 2.00 goals per game at The Brick Community Stadium. Mansfield's away record in League One 2026/2027 is 1 draw and 3 losses, averaging 0.75 goals per away game and 2.50 goals conceded, which is hardly ideal for a trip to an average of 2.00 goals a game conceded at the home of the team in 24th.
Two clubs with contrasting styles
Wigan's system
Gary Caldwell has set Wigan up in a back-three system, which is quite unusual in League One 2026/2027, and which suits the directness of his forwards and midfielders, which is then balanced by a pragmatic and fitness-driven edge.
Mansfield's approach
Nigel Clough has Mansfield playing a direct, wide, transition-heavy game with wing-back energy and a slightly more aggressive press. The Stags look like the sort of side that will do well on their day, but they are still searching for that killer edge.
Recent meetings
Wigan won this game 2-1 at home five months ago in League One 2025/2026 and have won 1 of the last 3 head-to-heads, with the other 2 finishing level, so the Latics are the more likely winners. However, Mansfield won't lie down and this will be a tight, scrappy game. The average of 1.50 Wigan goals and 1.50 Mansfield goals at this ground over the last 5 meetings suggests it will be that kind of game.
