On February 8, 2025, Wigan Athletic will face Fulham at the DW Stadium for the fourth round of the FA Cup. This fixture promises to be thrilling as both teams seek to make progress in one of the oldest and most prestigious cup competitions.
Wigan Athletic, under the guidance of Shaun Maloney, is coming off mixed results and seeking to turn their fortunes around. They faced challenges recently, losing to Peterborough United and drawing with Lincoln City after defeating Mansfield Town comfortably (2-0) to reach this stage of the Cup. Maloney, drawing from his experiences, has made several changes to the squad as they aim to surprise the higher division opponents.
Fulham, managed by Marco Silva, enters the match insulated by strong league performances. The Cottagers displayed resilience with recent victories, including a notable away win against Newcastle United (2-1). Silva's side is vying for silverware this season, and the FA Cup presents them with the opportunity to challenge for a trophy.
Recently, Maloney spoke about the influence Silva had on him during their time together at Hull City, where he learned valuable management lessons. “Shaun had an outstanding playing career, and he has a lot to thank me for...,” Silva commented, reflecting on Maloney's potential as a manager and the mutual respect they share. This historical connection adds another layer of intrigue to their tactical battle on the pitch.
Both teams are dealing with injuries; Wigan is without Silko Thomas due to knee issues and has made several adjustments, including bringing back Baba Adeeko to bolster their lineup. The excitement around this match is heightened by the prospect of twin brothers, Ryan and Steven Sessegnon, playing against each other for the first time, adding more personal stakes to the FA Cup clash.
Wigan's form has been shaky with only one win from their last four matches, which puts additional pressure on them to perform, especially at home. Meanwhile, Fulham thrives on their strong away form, having lost only one of their last eight matches on the road. “This game could see twin brothers Ryan and Steven Sessegnon play against each other for the first time,” noted former player Sutton during his analysis on BBC Radio 5 Live.
During their head-to-head encounters, Fulham has dominated with 20 victories to Wigan's 10 across all competitions. The Cottagers are unbeaten against Wigan across the last 19 matches, which can weigh heavily on the minds of the Wigan players heading onto the pitch. Fulham’s ability to score has also been notable; they have found the back of the net consistently, making them formidable opponents.
The tactical setup will see Wigan needing to overcome their defensive struggles, having conceded ten goals in six home games recently. Meanwhile, Fulham aims to capitalize on their attacking strengths with players like Rodrigo and Raúl Jiménez, who have been key figures this season. Fulham's Silva expressed confidence, stating, “It’s probably going to take him two or three weeks to be at his best,” referring to Willian’s return, showing optimism amid dealing with squad depth challenges.
Overall, the match presents two contrasting teams: Wigan seeks to reclaim their form and upset the higher-placed opponent, whilst Fulham aims to maintain momentum and aim for the latter stages of the tournament. Predictions lean toward Fulham's expected dominance, but the unpredictability of the FA Cup means anything can happen.
The kickoff will undoubtedly draw attention, with the atmosphere at the stadium promising to be electric as both sets of fans rally for their sides. For Wigan, overcoming recent form and asserting their home advantage seems imperative, yet they face steep odds against a side well-versed with battling higher expectations.