Manager David Dunn believes his side can take the game to Blackpool on Boxing Day after a promising second half display against Coventry City last weekend.
Latics were much the better team in the second half at the Ricoh Arena last Saturday and were rewarded with a point in the final minute of the game courtesy of a Danny Philliskirk header.
That earned Athletic’s first point over the Christmas period and the manager is hoping to add to that tally against the Seasiders on Boxing Day.
He said: "Their form is very good at the moment. I spoke to Neil McDonald the other week at Burton and he was saying they did really well, went off the boil for five or six games and I think they won their third on the bounce last weekend so they are in very good form and we’ll have to be at our best like we do most weeks.
“We are pretty confident we can play like we did at Coventry in the second half, we can be a threat for anyone.”
Dunn has been handed a boost over the festive period that one of his injured players has returned to training following a lengthy injury.
"Jonathan Forte is back training with us now so it’s another good addition. He will be like having a new signing but the main thing now is to narrow the squad down to what we think is appropriate,” he commented.
"We’ve got to be careful with Jonathan, certainly with a knee injury. One thing we don’t want to do it push him too much and then his knee starts to swell up so we’ll have to monitor that and try and get him as fit as we can, as well as being careful with him.”
The gaffer reserved a special mention to the supporters: “Merry Christmas and thanks for the support,” he said.
"I thought the fans at Coventry were excellent and they really did get behind the team. I was glad we got the point in the end because it sent them home happy.
Watch the full interview on Latics PlayerHD.