Luke Chambers starts: The predicted Wigan Athletic XI to face Charlton Athletic on Saturday | OneFootball

The predicted Wigan Athletic XI to face Charlton Athletic on Saturday

Wigan Athletic are among a host of League One teams hoping to clinch a play-off place come the end of the 2024/25 campaign, having landed a top-half spot last time out.

Shaun Maloney's men welcome Charlton Athletic to the Brick Community Stadium on Saturday evening, and will be hoping to claim all three points at the first time of asking.

Many third tier observers will be expecting the Addicks to be a strong outfit this season under the stewardship of Nathan Jones, but the Latics should view the first game of the season as the perfect time to face a potentially dangerous side.

Meanwhile, pre-season injuries to the trio of wingers Michael Olakigbe, Callum McManaman and Silko Thomas mean that Maloney has fewer options for Saturday's fixture than he would have liked, while new midfielder Tyrese Francois is also sidelined.

But Maloney still has high quality options at his disposal, and FLW predicts the Latics starting 11, based on a 4-2-3-1 formation, to take on the Addicks on Saturday:

Goalkeeper: Sam Tickle

Sam Tickle's heroics between the sticks last campaign for both the Latics and for the England Under-21s attracted interest from Premier League outfit Everton.

But back in May, the 22-year-old signed a new deal, keeping him at the Brick Community Stadium until 2028, which staved off transfer advances from the Toffees.

After maintaining 15 clean sheets in the the third tier last season, Tickle will undoubtedly remain Maloney's first-choice shot-stopper during 2024/25 as the Latics strive for a top-six finish.

Right-back: Calvin Ramsay

Liverpool's Calvin Ramsay experienced a lack of gametime during recent loan spells with Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End, both local rivals of the Tics.

But the Wigan faithful will still be excited to see the Scotland international in action for their club during his season-long loan, as he is a talented youngster who has played in the Champions League for his parent club.

Ramsay will be keen to make a quick impression among his fresh surroundings, and the departure of fellow right-back Sean Clare to Leyton Orient this summer shows that Maloney will likely instill plenty of faith in his fellow Scot this campaign.

Centre-back: Charlie Hughes

Amid continued transfer interest from Championship side Hull City, who are in need of a new centre-back after Jacob Greaves left for Ipswich Town, Maloney has praised the attitude of Charlie Hughes.

Hughes, an academy product, is undoubtedly one of the Latics' most prised assets and for as long as he remains at the Brick Community Stadium, he will retain a starting-11 spot.

The 20-year-old is a rock at the back for the Greater Manchester side, and is also integral to the club's style of playing out from the back, while he is also a danger in the opposition box during set-piece situations and scored four League One goals last campaign.

Centre-back: Jason Kerr

Jason Kerr was appointed as Latics club captain on Wednesday afternoon, which indicates that he will be an ever-present at the back for Maloney's men, provided he is able to stave off his previous injury issues.

At 27 years old, the former St Johnstone man adds experience to a youthful Tics squad, and he will be hoping that his leadership qualities can inspire his side to enjoy a successful season.

Kerr also chose to renew his contract at the Brick Community Stadium back in June, when he could have left on a free transfer following the expiration of his previous deal, which demonstrates how keen he is to buy into Maloney's ethos.

Left-back: Luke Chambers

Luke Chambers enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Latics during the second half of last season as he showed his versatility and also made four goal contributions in 18 League One appearances.

Wigan supporters will be delighted that Chambers has returned to their club for a full-season this time around and will be excited by the prospect of two Liverpool full-backs taking the field in the third tier this season.

The former Kilmarnock loanee recently played in pre-season friendlies for his parent club against both Real Betis and Manchester United, which is yet another indicator of his talent.

Central midfield: Matt Smith

Matt Smith joined the Latics on a free transfer from Arsenal last summer, and impressed on his debut season in Greater Manchester despite suffering an injury which meant he was only able to manage 28 League One outings.

If the midfielder had not suffered such a set-back, he would likely have been an ever-present in Maloney's side due to his impressive ability to dictate the tempo of games.

According to FotMob, Smith maintained a pass accuracy of 89.8% in the third tier last campaign, which demonstrates how important he is towards the Latics' possession-based playing style.

Central midfield: Baba Adeeko

While Smith is key to retaining possession for the Latics, his midfield partner Baba Adeeko's combative style enables the former Arsenal man to strut his stuff.

Academy product Adeeko broke into Wigan's first team last campaign, and was quickly recognised for his strong physicality and his ability to screen Maloney's backline.

As per FotMob, the Ireland youth international won 38 tackles and made 38 interceptions in the league last season, and if the 21-year-old can add goals to his game, he can establish himself as a very complete player.

Left wing: Dion Rankine

Latics supporters will be keen to see as many of their club's new signings grace the Brick Community Stadium turf on Saturday afternoon, and Maloney looks likely to select Dion Rankine, who has been heavily involved in pre-season fixtures since joining from Chelsea.

Rankine is a right-sided player by trade, but injuries to the likes of Thomas and McManaman may mean that he is deployed on the left, while the Tics will be keen to keep left-footed Jonny Smith on the right-wing due to his ability to cut inside and score from range.

The Chelsea academy product and former England youth international will be keen to ensure his impact is felt in Greater Manchester and has the opportunity to set the tone with a successful performance against Charlton on Saturday.

Central attacking midfield: Thelo Aasgaard

Norway youth international Thelo Aasgaard enjoyed his most productive season in front of goal to date last season, as he scored on eight occasions and created three assists in League One.

The creative ace will be hoping to continue his positive trajectory, and enjoyed a prolific pre-season, so he will be hoping to maintain his fine form against Charlton.

Aasgaard has the vision and trickery to cut open the finest defences in the third tier, while he also has the ability to score stunners from long range.

If the 22-year-old can reach new heights this campaign, then he can establish himself as one of the most dangerous players in League One, and fire the Latics to the play-offs.

Right Wing: Jonny Smith

Former Burton Albion man Smith scored three goals and made a further two assists during his first season with the Latics in the third tier last campaign.

He will be hoping to increase his goal productivity during 2024/25 and will look to begin the new season in the way in which he finished the last, with two goals in his last three games, including a long-range effort against Bristol Rovers.

If the Addicks allow Smith to cut inside onto his left foot on Saturday evening, the former Brewers player will not hesitate to shoot.

Striker: Joe Hugill

Manchester United youngster Joe Hugill managed to score just one goal during a loan spell with Burton in League One last season, but the Latics will be hoping that they can get more out of the 20-year-old than the Brewers did.

Maloney's track record with club academy products such as Hughes, Tickle and Aasgaard, as well as with loanees from Premier League clubs such as Fulham's Martial Godo, who enjoyed a successful spell with the Latics last season, shows that he could be the man to help Hugill find form.

A goal against Charlton on Saturday would do Hugill the world of good, and could help ensure that he has a productive season at the Brick Community Stadium.