Oldham Athletic prepare for a key League Two home game against Cheltenham Town this Saturday, aiming to translate their midweek cup form into league points. The Latics come into the match on the back of a 4-2 victory over Leeds United's under-21 side in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, a result that provided a welcome boost. That comprehensive win on 13 October saw goals from Noah Chilvers, Kane Drummond, Josh Hawkes and Kai Payne.
That win, which saw goals from Noah Chilvers, Kane Drummond, Josh Hawkes and Kai Payne, offers a positive note ahead of a tough league encounter. Oldham currently sit 21st in the table with just eight points from their opening nine matches, a record of two wins and five defeats. They are 11 points adrift of the early leaders, Salford City, and have a goal difference of minus four, having scored nine and conceded thirteen.
Manager Micky Mellon is likely to field a similar side to the one that started against Leeds United U21. That team lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Wilson Wilson in goal, a back four of T. Pett, W. Sutton, L. Temple and Z. Tahir, a midfield pivot of Thomas Daniel Hill and Kai Payne, and an attacking trio of K. Drummond, N. Chilvers and F. Fawunmi supporting striker M. Fondop-Talum.
Cheltenham arrive at Boundary Park with inconsistent recent form in League Two, having taken just one point from their last three matches. Their last five results include a 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur U21 in the EFL Trophy, but league defeats to Salford City and Accrington Stanley. Currently eighth in the standings, they represent a significant challenge for an Oldham side looking to climb away from the bottom. Oldham's own recent league form shows two wins, one draw and two losses from their last five outings, a sequence that includes a 1-0 win over Fleetwood Town and a 1-4 defeat to Salford City.
The match kicks off at 3pm on Saturday at Boundary Park. It is the 11th round of League Two fixtures this season. The Latics will be desperate to use their home advantage to secure a first league win since late September and start moving up the standings.
