Wigan Athletic aim to cause an upset in the FA Cup fourth round as they face off against Premier League club Fulham.
Nolan James Feb 3
Wigan Athletic find themselves in 16th place in League One, with 34 points from 28 matches. Overall, it's been a disappointing season for the Latics, and their supporters will be hoping the team can deliver something to cheer about in this FA Cup tie.
A significant blow came when midfielder Thelo Aasgaard was snapped up by Luton Town just weeks ago. Aasgaard had been one of Wigan's standout players, and his departure leaves a sizable gap in their midfield.
Wigan's past FA Cup glory is still fresh in many minds, as they shocked the football world by defeating Manchester City in the 2013 final to win their first-ever major trophy, even as they were relegated from the Premier League that same season. Since that victory, their FA Cup runs have been less successful, with their best post-2013 performance being a sixth-round appearance in 2017/18. They have not progressed beyond the fourth round in recent years.
With a home game against a Premier League team, this fixture offers Wigan an exciting opportunity to create some FA Cup magic and provide their fans with a rare moment of excitement this season.
Fulham are currently sitting comfortably in 9th place in the Premier League, boasting 36 points from 24 matches. The Cottagers are enjoying a stellar season under Marco Silva, and many observers did not expect them to challenge for European spots. Silva's side has been impressively efficient and has excelled in big matches, showing they are no pushovers.
Defensively, Fulham have conceded only 32 goals, making them one of the better teams at the back in the Premier League. They’ve taken points off top teams like Liverpool, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Chelsea, and Newcastle, proving their ability to compete with the best.
With no concerns about relegation and European football still within reach, Fulham will likely take the FA Cup seriously as an opportunity to win their first-ever major trophy. Their impressive league form should give them the confidence to push for a deep FA Cup run, especially given their record in recent seasons.
Wigan have had a mixed bag of results lately, with two wins, one draw, and two losses from their last five games. In their most recent match, the Latics were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Lincoln City, with Jonathan Smith’s first-half goal being cancelled out late on.
Before that, they were defeated 1-0 by Peterborough, but managed a 2-0 win against Bristol Rovers thanks to goals from James Carragher and Jonathan Smith. Their other results include a 1-2 loss to Burton Albion and a 2-1 win at Stevenage, where goals from Dale Taylor and Thelo Aasgaard sealed the victory.
Fulham enter this tie on decent form, with three wins and two losses from their last five games. Their latest result saw them claim an impressive 2-1 victory away to Newcastle, despite falling 1-0 behind. Goals from Raúl Jiménez and Rodrigo Muniz helped them secure all three points.
Before that, they lost 1-0 to Manchester United, followed by a 2-0 win over Leicester City, courtesy of Emile Smith-Rowe and Adama Traoré. They also suffered a 3-2 loss to West Ham and enjoyed a 4-1 victory over Watford in the FA Cup, where goals came from Muniz, Jiménez, Joachim Andersen, and Timothy Castagne.
Wigan have faced significant struggles in League One this season, while Fulham are flying high in the Premier League. Even with potential squad rotation, the Cottagers’ quality should prove far too much for Wigan, and they are heavy favorites to win this tie comfortably.
