Wigan Athletic ready to face 'stand-out side' in the Championship

The Baggies, under the management of Slaven Bilic, are top of the pile heading into the final quarter of the campaign, with Leeds United hot on their heels.

Cook is clearly hoping for a repeat result of Latics’ 1-0 victory at Elland Road earlier this month.

But the Latics manager - whose side are second only to West Brom in the form table heading into the weekend - does not expect to be facing either side next term.

“I don’t think it’s ever been a case where West Brom, and Leeds, have ever come away from the position of being promotion favourites,” he said.

“I know they’ve both been on sticky runs recently.

“But the reality of that is they are probably going to win quite a few games on the bounce.

“They’ve got too many good players to be on bad runs for two long.

“I’d say West Brom, with all due respect, are the stand out team in the Championship at the minute.

“Leeds. in my opinion, are also very, very strong.

“And I would be very surprised if the two of them were not in the automatic promotion spots come the end of the season.”