Latics travel to South Wales this weekend for an encounter against Newport County with their sights set on a third consecutive win (3pm).
Last time out, a brace from Davis Keillor-Dunn set John Sheridan’s men on the way to a huge 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers.
Form Guide
Newport County come into the game on the back of two losses in a row.
Both of those games came against teams in the automatic promotion places in the form of Northampton Town and Forest Green Rovers.
However, prior to that they had won each of their previous four league outings, whilst only conceding one in the process.
County are in the hunt for promotion and sit in seventh place, however, if their nearest rivals win their games in hand, they will fall out of the play-off spots.
The Exiles’ Last Six:
- Northampton Town 1-0 Newport County
- Forest Green Rovers 2-0 Newport County
- Newport County 2-1 Barrow
- Leyton Orient 0-1 Newport County
- Scunthorpe United 0-1 Newport County
- Newport County 4-0 Harrogate Town
Head-to-Head
Meetings: 15
Latics wins: 9
Newport County wins: 4
Draws: 2
Scored - 29
Conceded - 13
Latics welcomed Newport County to Boundary Park for the season opener.
The game was decided in County’s favour when veteran forward Kevin Ellison scored late on to ensure that his side came away victorious.
Although, the previous time before that Latics got the better of their Welsh opponents.
Aided by a first-half red card, goals from Keillor-Dunn, Bobby Grant and an own goal gave the 'boys in blue' a 3-2 win at home.
That was the second part of a league double completed over the Exiles.
In the reverse fixture, Keillor-Dunn was again on the scoresheet alongside Conor McAleny, Alfie McCalmont and Zak Dearnley.
Watch Out For
Dominic Telford is amongst the most lethal forwards in the division this season.
Level as top scorer with Forest Green’s Matt Stevens with an impressive 20 goals already this campaign, Telford is enjoying a fine spell.
He has been a Newport player since his transfer from Plymouth Argyle in January of last year.
This season has really see the striker come into his own and he has multiple EFL League Two Player of The Month awards to show for it.
Recently, he scored both goals in County’s 2-1 win over Barrow which saw him become the first Newport player to score 20 league goals in the top four divisions in a season since John Aldridge achieved it in the 1983/84 season.
The Burnley-born forward has also played for Blackpool, Stoke City, Bristol Rovers and Bury in his playing career.
In The Dugout
James Rowberry is the man in the dugout for the hosts.
The Newport posting is the Welshman’s first job in football management, but he does also have coaching experience with Cardiff City.
At 29, he was one of the youngest coaches to ever achieve the highest qualification badges in Europe as he earned his UEFA Pro License.
Stadium
Rodney Parade
Opened: 1877
Capacity: 8,700 (7,850 for football matches)
Also home to: Newport RFC, Dragons.
Match Officials
The official in the middle for the game is Robert Lewis.
Lewis last officiated a Latics game in February 2021 for our 4-3 defeat away at Forest Green Rovers. On that day, he handed out five yellow cards and zero red cards.
He's taken charge of 20 games, so far, this campaign, handing out a total of 65 yellow cards and one red card.
Lewis will be assisted by Marvyn Amphlett and Andrew Hendley, with Thomas Harty as the Fourth Official.
Sky Bet Odds
County are favourites to strengthen their grip on a place in the top seven and are priced at 4/7 to do so.
Latics are 17/4 to make it three wins on the bounce whilst 3/1 is available for the draw.
Please gamble responsibly by clicking here. For more information visit: www.begambleaware.org
How To Follow The Game
Live commentary is available on iFollow Latics with Roy Butterworth and Michael Brown who will be talking you through the match action.
Unfortunately, an iFollow match pass stream isn't available in the UK due to the 3pm blackout from broadcasters.
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.