FA Cup: Fulham Out to Send Wigan Athletic Home

Wigan Athletic vs Fulham

Fulham are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup after notching a 4-1 third-round victory over Watford last month, and they will take on Wigan Athletic next at the DW Stadium this Saturday. The Cottagers are fresh from a morale-boosting 2-1 win against Newcastle United last week, and Marco Silva’s men had a full week to prepare against the Latics.

Wigan Athletic made it to the fourth round after beating Carlisle (2-0), Cambridge United (2-1), and Mansfield Town (2-0) in their wake. The Latics are the 16^th seed in the Championship table, and they’re fresh from a 1-1 draw against Lincoln City last time out.

The pregame SBOTOP betting odds expect the visitors to cruise to the next round, which should motivate the hosts to try and pull off a major upset.

 

Talking Points

Wigan Athletic no longer have their top scorer

Wigan Athletic will find it hard to keep up with Fulham, as Thelo Aasgaard is no longer around. The Latics sold the 22-year-old midfielder to Luton Town for a “significant” fee, so it’s hard to blame them. Aasgaard was the team’s top scorer with eight league goals and two assists.

With Aasgaard out, head coach Shaun Maloney must find his replacement soon since Wigan Athletic have scored one goal in their last two matches. Jonny Smith did it against Lincoln City, but Wigan Athletic dropped points after conceding a second-half equaliser from James Collins.

Maloney will likely depend on Dale Taylor and Jonny Smith for production in the final third. Taylor, on loan from Nottingham Forest, has six league goals and seven assists. Smith has three league goals and one assist. The Latics will also need more from Jensen Weir and Silko Thomas, who only have two assists combined.

Because they’ll play on the back foot, expect Wigan Athletic to keep a low block against Fulham to attempt a smash-and-grab.

 

Fulham can afford to rotate

Marco Silva does not need to put out his best lineup this Saturday, as he has a stronger roster than Wigan Athletic. Expect the Portuguese manager to rotate his team to give his bench players some run to build their confidence.

Rodrigo Muniz could take the starting No. 9 role to give Raul Jimenez the day off. The Brazilian striker has four league goals and one assist this season. He also scored the opening goal against Watford. Ryan Sessegnon, Andreas Pereira, and Issa Diop came off the bench against the Magpies alongside Muniz, and I envision them in the starting XI against the Latics. Harrison Reed, Tom Cairney, Joshua King, Steven Benda, and Martial Godo could play more too.

Pereira could be the key for Fulham in their attempt to unlock Wigan Athletic’s backline. The former Manchester United midfielder has two league goals and two assists and is one of the team’s best playmakers in the middle of the park.

 

History

Saturday marks the first-ever FA Cup tie between Wigan Athletic and Fulham. However, the Latics won their two previous cup games against the Cottagers in December 2002 and September 2003 (EFL Cup). 

Fulham are undefeated in their previous 19 matches against Wigan Athletic in all competitions (W8, D11) – their longest unbeaten streak against an opponent. They have progressed from 14 of their last 16 FA Cup ties against sides from a lower division. The last time they lost to an inferior side was a 2-1 home defeat to Oldham Athletic in January 2019.

Wigan Athletic have lost their last three FA Cup ties against Premier League opponents. Their last such win was against Manchester City in the 2017-18 fifth round. The Latics won their only FA Cup trophy in 2012-13.

 

Betting Tip

As mentioned, the FA Cup 2025 odds are in favour of the Cottagers winning this weekend at the DW Stadium. Fulham are 1.21 favourites to win, whereas Wigan Athletic are massive 9.00 underdogs, and a draw after 90 minutes is at 5.30 in the 1X2 market.

Fulham will likely produce several FA Cup 2025 highlights to win, but don’t be surprised if Wigan Athletic also score. Besides our recommended bet, bettors can also go for alternatives like Over 2.75 at 1.74, Over 3.00 at 2.01, and Total Goal 4-6 at 2.67, with Total Goal 2-3 at 2.08 being the more conservative option.

However, if you fancy the chances of the Latics taking this match to the distance, then check out the Correct Score of 1-1 (after 90 minutes) – the result of their most recent encounter – given its generous 11.50 offer.

   

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