York vs Wigan Prediction (01.12.2023)

We have two FA Cup games from the second round on Friday night, with one of those being this one where non league outfit York City host League One club Wigan Athletic. There's a big gap between these two sides, but York will be hoping that the magic of the FA Cup is enough to level the playing field here.

Struggling towards the bottom of the National League, it's been a tough start for York City so far this season. They've played 22 league games, and won just five of them, they are down in 19th, and if things don't take a step forward soon, they will be looking behind them and worrying about the prospect of relegation.

They'll be hoping the distraction of the FA Cup is a welcome change for the team, and a way to go out and play without fear of their league position. They arrive here on the back of a draw against Maidenhead, a game that saw York go down to 10 men. In the FA Cup first round, they drew 0-0 away at Chester before winning the replay at home 2-1.

Relegation to League One over the summer, this is the first time in a while that Wigan have been playing in this competition at this stage, they're used to entering in the third round. With an eight point deduction at the start of the season, Wigan are artificially low in the standings, but are going well in League One, moving up the table.

They come here on the back of a win against close neighbours Fleetwood, Wigan beat them 3-0 on Tuesday night, in what was a completely dominant performance. They were also impressive in the first round of this competition, winning 2-0 away at Exeter to get through to this stage.

The change of competition may help York a little here, but I don't think they have anywhere near enough quality to get the better of Wigan. The away side are going along nicely, are better than their league position suggests, and I am backing Wigan to make it through to the third round of the FA Cup.