Wigan Athletic host MK Dons at the Brick Community Stadium on 2 September 2026, a League One fixture that pits a side desperate for its first points against a promoted outfit still searching for a win. Wigan sit bottom of the table after three straight defeats, while MK Dons occupy 16th place on the back of three draws.
Gary Caldwell was appointed Wigan manager on 16 February 2026, replacing Ryan Lowe, while Paul Warne took charge of MK Dons on 15 April 2025 following an interim spell under Ben Gladwin and the two haven't met as managers before. Wigan arrive in wretched shape, having lost all three of their League One fixtures: 0-1 to AFC Wimbledon on 30 August, 0-2 to Leyton Orient on 22 August and 2-3 to Cambridge United on 15 August. MK Dons haven't lost but haven't won either, drawing 0-0 with Leicester City on 29 August, 1-1 with Huddersfield on 22 August and 2-2 with Oxford United on 15 August.
Ryan Trevitt is the significant absentee for Wigan, ruled out for up to three months with a hamstring injury, leaving Caldwell short in midfield at the worst possible moment, whereas MK Dons have no injury concerns ahead of the trip.
Caldwell has built Wigan around possession oriented football, with Sonny Perkins leading the attack, Max Power setting the tempo from deep and Akeel Higgins on the flank. Losing Trevitt hurts because he brought dynamism in transition that Wigan's remaining midfield options may struggle to replicate. Warne's MK Dons are compact and quick to spring forward when they win the ball, with Aaron Collins the main beneficiary of that system. Collins has scored this season and is the sharpest threat MK Dons carry going forward and if Power can't slow their press, Wigan will repeatedly lose the ball in dangerous positions.
Wigan will likely dominate possession at home with points desperately needed but without Trevitt they may find it harder to press high and win the ball back quickly. Perkins against the MK Dons centre backs and Higgins against their full backs are worth watching in isolation and Power's delivery and Perkins' aerial ability give Wigan their clearest route to goal from set pieces.
Wigan have historically held the edge in this fixture, with roughly five wins to MK Dons' two over the years and the most recent meeting ending 1-1. The fixture was rescheduled from 1 September following Wigan's rearranged match against AFC Wimbledon on 30 August, giving both teams an extra day to prepare and Warne more time to organise a defensive shape around Trevitt's absence.
Three defeats and a place at the bottom of the table is not where Caldwell envisioned being and the pressure to win at home against a side yet to win will be acute. MK Dons have conceded once in three League One games, which suggests they can hold their shape even when Wigan turn the screw and with the points not yet on the board they have every reason to play conservely and wait for the counter.
MK Dons win 2-1. Wigan's pressure will count for something but Trevitt's absence leaves them exposed to exactly what Collins does and MK Dons have shown enough defensive solidity to absorb what comes their way.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
