Wigan Athletic vs Leyton Orient Lineups, Prediction, Team News, Injury And Preview

Wigan Athletic vs Leyton Orient Prediction: Leyton Orient are predicted to beat Wigan Athletic 1-2 in their League One Gameweek 41 clash on April 2, 2026, as Orient’s four wins in five matches and strong head-to-head record give them the edge over a Wigan side sitting just two points above the relegation zone at The Brick Community Stadium.

Key Facts

• Wigan Athletic host Leyton Orient in a League One Gameweek 41 clash on Wednesday, April 2, 2026, with a 7:45 PM BST kickoff at The Brick Community Stadium (DW Stadium).
• Wigan sit 19th in League One with 45 points from 39 matches, just two points above the relegation zone.
• Leyton Orient occupy 17th place with 49 points from 39 games, sitting four points above their hosts.
• Leyton Orient won the reverse fixture 2-0 back in August 2025 and are unbeaten in three consecutive head-to-head meetings.
• Wigan have collected 14 points from nine games under returning manager Gary Caldwell.
• Orient ended a four-match winning streak with a goalless draw at Exeter City last weekend.
• The match is available on Sky Sports+ in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

Match Overview

Detail	Information
Competition	League One 2025-26, Gameweek 41
Date & Time	Wednesday, April 2, 2026 – 7:45 PM BST
Venue	The Brick Community Stadium, Wigan
Wigan Position	19th (45 pts, GD: -13)
Orient Position	17th (49 pts, GD: -7)
Referee	TBC
TV (UK/Ireland)	Sky Sports+

Wigan Athletic vs Leyton Orient Preview: What’s at Stake and Why This Match Matters

This is a relegation six-pointer in every sense. Wigan Athletic, sitting just two points above the drop zone with a goal difference of -13, cannot afford another slip.

Their 3-0 defeat at Reading last Saturday exposed defensive vulnerabilities that Gary Caldwell must address immediately. Exeter City in 21st have a superior goal difference despite having fewer points, which makes Wigan’s margin for error razor-thin.

Leyton Orient, meanwhile, are not safe either.

Four points separate them from the relegation places, and while Richie Wellens’ side have been in strong form, winning four of their last five before the Exeter draw, a defeat here could drag them right back into danger.

A win, however, would put significant daylight between Orient and the bottom four.

Predicted Wigan Athletic vs Leyton Orient Lineups and Formations

Wigan Athletic (Expected 3-4-1-2)

Gary Caldwell is expected to revert to a lineup closer to the one that delivered back-to-back 2-0 home wins over Bradford City and Exeter City.

The 3-0 loss at Reading was an anomaly in an otherwise solid run, and Caldwell may bring Matt Smith back into midfield to add stability while introducing Dara Costelloe for his first start since late February to inject pace in the final third.

Teenager Harrison Bettoni could be rested after a demanding run of games.

Predicted XI: Tickle; Aimson, Kerr, Chapman; Rodrigues, Smith, Weir, Murray; Costelloe, Wright; Taylor

Leyton Orient (Expected 3-4-3 / 4-3-3)

Richie Wellens switched to a back three during the Exeter draw, and that tactical flexibility could carry into this fixture.

Michael Craig is in line to start at right-back after Sean Clare’s early withdrawal last weekend. Dan Happe and Idris El Mizouni are both options to return in defence and midfield respectively, which would strengthen Orient’s spine considerably.

Predicted XI: Dennis; Craig, Forrester, Simpson, Morris; El Mizouni, Bakinson; Archibald, Wellens, Mitchell; Ballard

Injury Report and Key Absences

Wigan Athletic

Sean Clare is not involved — he is an Orient player — but Wigan’s own concerns centre on squad depth rather than a lengthy injury list.

Caldwell has rotated his options carefully, and the decision around Bettoni is more about workload management than fitness.

James Carragher and Matt Smith are both available after being left out at Reading.

Leyton Orient

Sean Clare is a doubt after his early substitution against Exeter, and Tom James may also miss out. These are significant losses.

Clare has been a consistent presence on the right side, and his absence forces Craig into the starting role. Happe and El Mizouni returning would offset some of that disruption.

The key absence that could shift the game: If Orient lose both Clare and James from their defensive setup, it fundamentally changes their right-sided structure.

Craig was substituted at half-time against Exeter — albeit for tactical reasons — and Wigan’s left-sided attackers could target that area.

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Head-to-Head Record

The recent head-to-head record strongly favours Leyton Orient. In the last five meetings, Orient have won twice, drawn twice, and lost once.

Critically, Wigan have not beaten Orient since March 2024, when they secured a 1-0 home victory. Since then, Orient won 2-0 at Brisbane Road in December 2024, drew 0-0 in April 2025, and won 2-0 again in the reverse fixture this season.

That December 2024 result is particularly relevant — it was the last time these sides met at Wigan’s ground, and Orient ran out comfortable 2-0 winners.

Caldwell will need to find a way to reverse a pattern that has seen his side score just one goal against Orient in their last four encounters.

Players to Watch

Dara Costelloe (Wigan):

If selected, the winger brings directness and speed that Wigan have lacked in recent away defeats. His return from the cold could be the spark Caldwell needs to unlock a tight game at home.

Sam Tickle (Wigan)

The goalkeeper’s performance will be critical. Conceding three goals in each of their last three defeats puts enormous pressure on Tickle to deliver a commanding display.

Charlie Ballard (Leyton Orient)

The forward has been central to Orient’s 10-goal haul during their four-match winning run. His movement and finishing make him the most dangerous attacking threat on the pitch.

Idris El Mizouni (Leyton Orient)

If he returns to the starting lineup, El Mizouni’s energy and ball-carrying ability in midfield could dictate the tempo of the match and exploit the spaces Wigan’s three-man defence sometimes leaves.

League One Standings

Pos	Team	MP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Form
17	Leyton Orient	39	14	7	18	55	62	-7	49	D-W-W-W-W
18	Burton Albion	40	12	10	18	44	55	-11	46	L-W-L-W-L
19	Wigan Athletic	39	11	12	16	41	54	-13	45	L-W-D-W-L
20	Blackpool	40	12	9	19	47	63	-16	45	W-D-W-L-L
21	Exeter City	40	11	10	19	42	52	-10	43	D-L-L-L-L

Wigan’s games in hand are a lifeline, but only if they convert them into points. Orient’s superior form — four wins from five before the Exeter draw — gives them genuine momentum heading into this fixture.

Where to Watch Live?

Country	Broadcaster/Platform
United Kingdom	Sky Sports+
Republic of Ireland	Sky Sports+
India	FanCode

Fans in other territories should check local League One broadcast partners for availability.

Statistical Comparison

Wigan have scored 41 goals in 39 games, the fourth-lowest tally in the division. Orient have netted 55 in 39, but their away defensive record is alarming: 38 goals conceded in 20 away matches, the second-worst in League One.

They have also lost 12 of 20 away games this season, a 60% loss rate that contradicts their recent surge in form.

At home, Wigan are a different proposition. Four wins from their last five home fixtures — including clean sheets against Bradford and Exeter, suggest Caldwell has built a defensive structure that functions far better at The Brick Community Stadium than on the road.

Wigan Athletic vs Leyton Orient Prediction:

Correct Predicted Score: Wigan Athletic 1-2 Leyton Orient

Orient’s attacking momentum over the past month gives them the edge, even at a ground where Wigan have been strong.

The visitors have scored 10 goals in their last four wins and carry genuine confidence.

Wigan’s home form keeps this tight, but Orient’s ability to find goals, combined with the head-to-head trend, points toward a narrow away victory. A 1-2 Orient win looks the most likely outcome in a tense, high-stakes relegation battle.

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