Rafael Benitez’s side can return to the top of the Championship with a win at the DW Stadium.
Having bounced straight back up from League One at the first attempt last season, Wigan are in dire need of points as they attempt to avoid an instant return to the third tier.
The Latics have won just four league matches this season and sit second bottom, four points adrift of safety, as they prepare to welcome a Newcastle side who returned to form in style with a 4-0 victory over Birmingham at the weekend.
The Magpies will leapfrog Brighton and return to the Championship’s summit with three points this evening, but they will have to be wary of complacency on a ground where they have struggled in the past.
Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle celebrates with teammates after he scores his sides fourth goal completing his hat trick
The Key Battle – Jake Buxton vs Dwight Gayle
Experienced defender Buxton has missed just three league games for the hosts this season having joined from Derby in the summer, but he faces a tough test this evening against the Championship’s top scorer.
Gayle added three more goals to his season’s tally with a well taken hat-trick on Saturday and will be striving to keep his excellent scoring run going.
Wigan manager Warren Joyce
Last Meeting:
A late winner from Arouna Kone sealed the win for Wigan last time these two teams met, which was in a Premier League encounter in March 2013.
Newcastle have lost in six of their seven visits to the DW Stadium, with their only win coming in January 2011 thanks to a Shola Ameobi strike.
Wigan’s Yanic Wildschut celebrates scoring their second goal with Max Power
Recent league form – most recent last:
Wigan – WLDWLL
Newcastle – WWWLLW
Who’s the ref?
Simon Hooper will be overseeing proceedings this evening.
His 19 games so far this season have included 69 yellow cards and a solitary red, while he has also taken charge of both of these sides having had the whistle for Newcastle’s defeat at Fulham and win over Brentford as well as Wigan’s home loss to Brighton.
Newcastle’s Matt Ritchie and Isaac Hayden with referee Simon Hooper
What time is kick off?
The match starts at 7.45pm.
Where can I watch it?
Wigan v Newcastle is live on Sky Sports 1, with coverage beginning at 7.30pm.
Odds
Wigan – 24/5
Draw – 14/5
Newcastle – 3/4
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