Preston vs Wigan Prediction FA Cup 09.01.2026
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Preston vs Wigan Prediction FA Cup
Preston vs Wigan Prediction and Betting Tips for the FA Cup third round, scheduled for Friday, January 09, 2026, at 19:30 GMT. The match will be broadcast live on Discovery+ and TNT Sports 5. The clash takes place at Deepdale, with the hosts flying high in the Championship while the visitors struggle for consistency in the third tier. It is a classic cup setup where history meets current momentum. In this article, you’ll discover FA Cup Predictions from XpertStats tipsters.
- Preston North End currently sit 4th in the Championship after successive league wins.
- Wigan Athletic are 15th in League One, just three points above the relegation zone.
- The Lilywhites have won 21 of the 51 historical meetings between these two clubs.
- Wigan required penalties to overcome both Hemel Hempstead and Barrow in previous rounds.
- Preston reached the FA Cup quarterfinals last season before falling to Aston Villa.
- The Latics have not managed a competitive victory at Deepdale since January 2004.
Wigan Athletic manager Ryan Lowe prepares for an emotional return to Deepdale this Friday, marking his first visit since departing Preston North End in August 2024. While acknowledging PNE’s impressive form under Paul Heckingbottom, Lowe is eager to orchestrate an FA Cup upset. Despite the Latics entering the tie as underdogs, the former Lilywhites boss remains focused on capturing the "magic of the cup" against his former side.
| GK | Walton |
| DF | Lindsay, Storey, Hughes |
| MF | Valentin, McCann, Whiteman, Small |
| FW | Smith, Jebbison, Keane |
| GK | Tickle |
| DF | Carragher, Aimson, Fox; Smith |
| MF | Murray, Francois, Wright, Rodrigues |
| FW | Saydee, Costelloe |
Preston North End coming into this match as the 1X favorite is backed by a mountain of statistical evidence. Sitting 4th in the Championship, they are playing a full level above Wigan Athletic. Under Paul Heckingbottom, the Lilywhites have found a level of consistency that makes them very difficult to beat at Deepdale. They have already racked up 43 points this season and are riding the wave of successive league victories. Historically, Wigan has not won at this ground in over twenty years. Even with rotation, the depth available to Preston with players like Will Keane and Daniel Jebbison is superior to Wigan’s starting eleven. The Latics have struggled for form in League One, sitting just above the relegation zone, and have looked vulnerable in the previous rounds of this competition. Betting on the home side to at least secure a draw is the most logical play given the current gulf in class and momentum.
Backing Over 1.5 Goals makes sense when looking at the defensive statistics of the visitors. Wigan has been involved in several high scoring affairs lately, but often for the wrong reasons, as they sit just three points above the relegation zone. Their defensive record in League One suggests that a high quality Championship side like Preston will find plenty of opportunities to breach their backline. Furthermore, Preston managed a 2-1 win the last time these two met, and they have been scoring freely in their recent league wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City. With Heckingbottom likely to give starts to hungry fringe players like Daniel Jebbison, the energy in the final third will be high. Whether it is a dominant Preston performance or a scrappy cup battle, two goals is a relatively low bar for these two historic rivals to clear.
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FAQ – Preston vs Wigan Prediction
Who is the favorite to win between Preston and Wigan?
Preston North End are the clear favorites due to their high standing in the Championship and strong recent form at Deepdale.
Where can I watch The Preston vs Wigan live?
The Preston vs Wigan FA Cup match will be broadcast live on Discovery+ and TNT Sports 5.
What time does Preston vs Wigan start?
Kick-off is scheduled for 19:30(GMT) on Friday, January 09, 2026.
