Stoke take on one of the most inform teams in the country in Wigan Athletic.

FA Cup action pits Championship versus League one in what can only be seen as a massive banana skin for the Potters.

Not only are Wigan in form, they have already knocked a Championship side in High scoring Blackburn in the previous round.

The game will see Marmite ex Stoke player James McClean come back to the bet365 Stadium after his summer move back to Wigan.

Stoke have faced Wigan in the FA Cup once before, Stoke won the game 3-0 back in 2003. Chris Greenacre with a brace. Including that game we have faced Wigan 20 times and inky won 5 of them. Wigan always seemed to pull of a wonder goal and get the better of the Potters.

How have we faired in previous meetings.

Saturdays  fixture will be the 35th meeting between the two sides

Stoke wins 12

Draws 13

Wigan wins 9

The last meeting 

The less said about the last competitive fixture the better. Wigan ripped the Potters and in particular Steven Ward a new one. Jack Butland had a shocker too as Wigan ran out 3-0 winners. The game was only in June 2020 but Stoke have only two of the starting XI from that game still on the books

Form (last 4 games)

Stoke

Hull 0-2 Stoke

Stoke 2-3 Fulham

Coventry 1-0 Stoke

Huddersfield 1-1 Stoke

Wigan

Wigan 3-2 Gillingham 

Wigan 1-0 Arsenal U21(cup)

Cheltenham 0-0 Wigan

Wigan 1-1 Oxford

Wigan have not lost in the last 20 league & Cup games, Winning 15 of them.

Who’s the threat

Well, ex players always seems to up their games against Stoke and I don’t see that not being the case against Wigan. James McLean is a huge threat on his day, but his crossing was more a threat to the fans in the stand more often than not, you can guarantee he’ll turn into prime David Beckham for this game though. Will Keane is Wigans top scorer so far but Max Power has been the stand out player.

How could Stoke set up for the game.

Stoke have 6 new signings since the previous FA cup round versus Leyton Orient. Only 3 of them though will be eligible due to Philogene-Bidace, Phil Jagielka & Lewis Baker being cup tied.

What is your score Prediction?