Colchester United will need to provide an FA Cup upset if they are to make it to the Third Round of the competition, when League One Wigan Athletic visit the JobServe Community Stadium on Sunday.
Hayden Mullins and his Colchester United side will be looking to progress in two cup competitions in the same week on Sunday afternoon, after already making it to the last sixteen in the Papa John's Trophy with a win against Swindon Town on Tuesday evening.
Luke Chambers' brace saw off the Robins, continuing the U's good form over the last few weeks that has seen them lose just one in seven in all competitions.
That good run of form includes Colchester United's First Round victory over AFC Sudbury in the FA Cup, a game that saw the U's earn a spot in the Second Round of the tournament for the first time since the 2015/16 season.
Colchester United will need to be at their best to overcome Wigan Athletic on Sunday afternoon, but Mullins and Dyer will be boosted by some good performances in the week.
Alan Judge was on the field for an hour at Swindon, giving further encouraging signs with two assists in his return to the starting eleven after a calf injury. Shamal George, Brendan Wiredu and Frank Nouble were all still missing through injury, with Tom Eastman isolating after catching COVID.
The Opposition
Leam Richardson's side are one of the highest ranked sides remaining in the competition, sitting second in League One and level on points with Rotherham United at the summit of the third tier.
The Latics needed a replay against Solihull Moors to make it through to the Second Round of the competition, but an extra-time winner against the National League side ensured that they wouldn't suffer a cup upset, with the U's the upcoming opponents.
Wigan Athletic have two former Colchester United players within their ranks, with Jamie Jones and Gavin Massey both getting games for the Greater Manchester side this season, and starting in the FA Cup replay against Solihull.
Other players to look out for from the opposition camp include former Manchester United, Hull City and Ipswich Town striker, Will Keane who has hit nine goals and given five assists in all competitions this campaign. Callum Lang, the homegrown striker at the DW Stadium is continuing his good run of form that started at the back end of last season with the twenty-three-year-old on target eight times this term.
Richardson's side have been strong at the back this campaign, conceding just sixteen goals in eighteen league games in the third tier, with Rotherham United loanee Curtis Tilt, Jack Whatmough and Jason Kerr playing in a back three.
Last Time We Met
The U's played out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Wigan Athletic in the last meeting between the two sides. Alex Gilbey, Elliott Lee and George Moncur were all on target for the U's, with Will Grigg stealing a late point for the Latics, after Yanic Wildschut and Ryan Colclough had netted in the first half.
Tickets
Match tickets are on sale from Col U Tickets, click HERE to purchase tickets for this weekend's Second Round tie. Ticket prices for the fixture are below.
Advance | Matchday |
Adult - £18 | Adult - £22 |
Concession - £12 | Concession - £15 |
18-21 - £14 | 18-21 - £17 |
U18 - £12 | U18 - £14 |
U14 - £5 | U14 - £6 |
U11 - £3 | U11 - £4 |