Latics boss John Sheridan will be hoping his side can give their promotion push a further boost at home to Bristol Rovers tonight (KO 7.45pm).
Paul Trollope's side travel north for a re-arranged clash after the original fixture fell victim to the recent cold snap.
Athletic will be looking to close the gap on the top two as they currently lie only seven points behind second-placed MK Dons.
They enter a period of four games in less than two weeks hoping to get as many points on the board as possible to strengthen their position in the top six.
Meanwhile Rovers will go head-to-head with Shez's men hoping to build on a recent run of encouraging form, including a 2-0 win at Athletic's play-off rivals Scunthorpe.
The Pirates' win at Glanford Park was followed by a 3-0 win over Yeovil before leaders Leicester snapped the mini-sequence by prevailing by a single goal at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Striker Rickie Lambert missed a penalty in the defeat and the Athletic rearguard will have to be on the toes to guard against a backlash from the striker, who has netted 21 times this season.
Lying in 14th position in League One with 39 points from 30 games, Trollope's men are not completely out of the play-off picture but may have to settle for a mid-table berth this time around unless they can round into form at just the right time.
They have won three games on the road so far this season, drawing six and losing a further six, scoring 21 goals and conceding 24.
Latics will be focused on evening things up after Lambert and Chris Lines both scored in a 2-0 win for Rovers at the Memorial Stadium back in October.
On their day the Pirates pack a potent punch and Athletic supremo John Sheridan is more than aware of that fact.
He will again face a - welcome - selection headache with only Matty Wolfenden (thigh), Paul Black (ankle) and Mark Crossley (knee sidelined).
Andy Liddell is vying for a starting place after coming on in the 2-2 draw against Yeovil last weekend, while Neal Eardley is also looking for a recall.
Midfielder Fabio Ferreira has not made the squad, while fellow loanee Daniel Jones is also omitted owing to a continuing lack of fitness.
The Wolves flyer is hoping to be back in contention for the game at Millwall this Saturday.
FREE commentary on tonight's game is live and exclusive on Latics World with Mike Leyland and Roy Butterworth from 7.40pm. Click here to sign up today.
Latics (from): Fleming, Eardley, Golbourne, Windass, Stam, Whitaker, Allott, Hughes, Lomax, Hazell, Maher, Gregan, Taylor, Lee, Liddell, Hines, Alessandra, Smalley, Budtz.
