Latics welcome promotion-chasing Northampton Town to Boundary Park for a crucial Sky Bet League Two clash tomorrow (Good Friday - 3pm KO).
Oldham were perhaps unlucky to come out on the losing side in their last encounter, losing 3-2 away at the high-flying Port Vale.
Twice John Sheridan’s men pegged Vale back with equalisers through Christopher Missilou and Davis Keillor-Dunn before ultimately a 54th-minute goal for the hosts proved to be the match’s winning moment.
With results elsewhere not going to plan, Oldham remains just outside of the relegation zone but only on goal difference for the moment.
Form Guide
Northampton come into this tie on a mixed run of form.
With five games to go, they still have a chance at securing at an automatic return to the third flight, but they have harmed their chances by picking up just one point from their last two games.
They have lost half of their previous six league meetings which could have Latics optimism going into the big game.
With just two goals scored in their last four outings, the Cobblers will be hoping to find a return to goalscoring form when they travel to the North West.
Situated in 5th place they still have so much to play for. Due to the tight nature of the top end of the table, they could still sneak into the top three whilst they also may be looking over their shoulders as just two points separates them and 8th place Salford City.
The Cobblers’ Last Six:
- Northampton Town 0-0 Bradford City
- Mansfield Town 1-0 Northampton Town
- Northampton Town 2-0 Hartlepool United
- Northampton Town 0-1 Bristol Rovers
- Stevenage 1-2 Northampton Town
- Carlisle United 2-1 Northampton Town
Head-to-Head
Meetings: 40
Latics wins: 16
Northampton Town wins: 14
Draws: 10
Latics are currently on a five-game run without managing a victory in this fixture.
Three losses and two draws have come since Latics’ last win against the Cobblers.
You have to go back to a League One fixture in December 2017 for their last win against them, a convincing 5-1 victory.
On the scoresheet for Oldham on that day was Jack Byrne with two, current Oldham man Tope Obadeyi, Gevaro Nepomuceno and Craig Davies.
When the two clubs met earlier on in this campaign, it was Town who came out on top with the game ending 2-1 at Sixfields.
Watch Out For
Sam Hoskins was on target for the Cobblers in their last League Two victory and he will no doubt be hoping to help his side to victory again.
Hoskins has scored ten times for the Cobblers in the fourth tier, whilst providing a further four assists.
He has been directly involved in 30% of all goals scored by Town so far this league campaign.
The Dorchester-born forward began his footballing career at Southampton.
Spending years in the much-revered academy down on the South coast, Hoskins had loan spells with Preston North End, Rotherham United and Stevenage before finally leaving on a permanent basis to join Yeovil.
He left Yeovil in 2015 following their relegation to League Two, joining Northampton Town.
Hoskins has been at his current club ever since becoming somewhat of a mainstay at Sixfields.
Playing 289 times to date for the Cobblers, the 29-year-old has managed a respectable 51 goals whilst also registering 33 assists.
In The Dugout
Jon Brady is the man in the dugout for the visitors.
Born in Newcastle, Australia, Brady has been a part of the setup at Northampton Town since 2016 and he has performed a number of roles during his time at the club.
He has been boss since February 2021 when he replaced Keith Curle.
Brady was unable to prevent their relegation back to the fourth tier but was handed the job on a permanent basis in May 2021.
His other previous managerial experience came with Brackley Town.
Match Officials
The official in the middle for the game is Sam Purkiss.
Purkiss last officiated a Latics game in August 2021 for our 1-0 defeat away at Bristol Rovers. On that day, he handed out five yellow cards and zero red cards.
He's taken charge of 29 games, so far, this campaign, handing out a total of 107 yellow cards and four red cards.
Purkiss will be assisted by Abbas Khan and Billy Smallwood, with Thomas Harty as the Fourth Official.
Sky Bet Odds
Latics are 23/10 to pick up a huge three points when Northampton come to town.
Town are favourites at 11/10 as they look to get their promotion bid back on track.
23/10 is also the price for the game to end in a draw.
Please gamble responsibly by clicking here. For more information visit: www.begambleaware.org
How To Follow The Game
Live match action on the £10 'match pass' is available on iFollow Latics in the UK and overseas for supporters who can't attend in person, with Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown talking you through the match action due to the international break.
For more information, visit the iFollow Latics page by clicking here.
Alternatively, supporters can also follow the game with live updates on the club's official Twitter account: @OfficialOAFC.