Wigan Athletic travel to the Hawthorns on Saturday to take on league leaders West Bromwich Albion looking to build on back-to-back wins against Reading and Millwall.

Paul Cook’s side managed to follow their 1-0 win at home against Millwall last weekend with arguably their best performance of the season against Reading on Wednesday night, with the Latics managing to secure a deserved 3-0 win thanks to goals from Kieffer Moore, Jamal Lowe and Michael Jacobs.

That victory, coupled with Middlesbrough’s defeat at home to Leeds United, meant that Wigan managed to move level on points with Boro who currently occupy the final spot before the relegation zone, and has also seen them close the ground on a host of other teams above them.

Wigan will be hopeful that they can extend their recent up-turn in form and make it five Championship matches unbeaten against West Brom, while Cook’s side will also be looking to continue their improvements away from home, having managed to secure two wins and a draw in their previous three matches on their travels.

However, considering that West Brom have managed to secure back-to-back wins themselves against Bristol City and Preston North End, the Baggies could prove a real difficult team for Cook’s side to pick up a result against, with Slaven Bilic’s side looking like strong candidates to earn promotion.

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Here then, we take a look at the starting XI Cook should select for Wigan against West Brom…

Considering Wigan delivered an excellent performance in their 3-0 win at Reading, Cook will not be needing or wanting to make too many changes to his starting line-up against West Brom, and the Latics should largely keep with the same system against the Baggies.

That means that once again David Marshall keeps his place in goal for the Latics, with the keeper aiming to make it three successive clean sheets, and the 34-year-old delivered a very good display when called upon against Reading making some key interventions when required.

Given Wigan managed to record a clean sheet in their win at Reading, Cook could elect to play the same back four once again, which would mean that Nathan Byrne keeps his place at right-back, while Tom Pearce, who came in for Kal Naismith on Wednesday, should also remain at left-back.

The one downside for Wigan from their win at Reading was the injury suffered to Chey Dunkley, which could keep him out for a prolonged period, so it is important that both Cedric Kipre and Leon Baloun continue to deliver strong performances at the heart of their defence.

At the base of midfield, Cook should continue with the pairing of Sam Morsy and Joe Williams, with the pair instrumental in Wigan’s win at Reading, having both been excellent both with and without the ball on Wednesday night.

Cook could elect to bring in Michael Jacobs down the left-hand side, with the winger having come off the bench to score the third at Reading, although that would be harsh on Gavin Massey, but Jacobs might just offer a little more defensive solidity.

Both Jamal Lowe, who was also on target at Reading, and Gary Roberts should keep their places in the side behind Kieffer Moore, with those three players likely to be key to helping the Latics cause problems for West Brom’s defence on Saturday.