The home side are forced into an early change.

Jack Whatmough, who had some treatment a few minutes ago, cannot continue and his place is taken by Rarmani Edmonds-Green.

Sheffield United's formation means that the centre-backs are invited to roam forward.

Ciaran Clark, who just had his shirt taken off his back by a Wigan player at a corner a few moments ago, gets forward well and wins an attacking free-kick down the Blades' left.

Not sure Clark has been that far forward in open play since he had a few games in midfield for Aston Villa at the start of his career.

Image source, PA Media

JUST as I say about Wigan coughing the ball up cheaply they give it away AGAIN about 25 yards out.

Billy Sharp plays a neat one-two with James McAtee and the Manchester City loanee sees a low shot saved at the near post.

Wigan are being the creators of their own troubles at the moment.

Some really lax play defensively and giving the ball away in dangerous areas.

Jeff in Canada: Kolo Toure has a lot of work to do to turn things around with Wigan.

Wigan, who are second from bottom, made a good start to life under Toure with a point at Millwall last week but they're up against it here tonight.

Keep your thoughts coming on all things EFL by using #bbcefl on Twitter.

Ooft.

Sheffield United pushing for that second.

Iliman Ndiaye looks to fashion a shooting chance for himself in the area, with the home defence at sixes and sevens, before teeing up James McAtee.

His shot is well blocked.

A few moments later Latics goalkeeper Jamie Jones just passes the ball out of play for a Blades throw.

Kolo Toure wants his team to pass out from the back and... it's going to take them a while to get used to that.

Image source, PA Media

It was all so nice before kick-off as new Wigan boss Kolo Toure was given a great reception as he emerged from the tunnel for his first home game in charge.

But it's quickly gone downhill and the former Arsenal and Manchester City centre-back will surely have a lot to say about the marking, or lack of it, for that Sheffield United opener.

The home side have looked tidy on the ball but they'll need to step it up to get something from the game now.

Image source, PA Media

Wigan defender Curtis Tilt and Blades striker Billy Sharp are in the book for a bit of pushing and shoving that the referee has taken exception to.

Sheffield United keeper Wes Foderingham nearly has egg on his face.

James McClean makes fairly good connection on a volley 20 yards out but should be a routine stop for the Blades keeper.

However, he spills it out to Nathan Broadhead.

Foderingham denies the striker, although the flag is up at any rate.

Carl Asaba
Former Sheffield United striker on BBC Radio Sheffield

It doesn't matter what manager comes in - if defenders don't go with their runners you're going to concede.

John Egan's had a free run at it, a free header and it's a brilliant start for the Blades.

Nice, bright start from Wigan this.

They're looking to move the ball quickly and get forward in numbers.

New boss Kolo Toure will like what he is seeing.

Carl Asaba
Former Sheffield United striker on BBC Radio Sheffield

The Sheffield United defence just backed off, Will Keane was running towards the edge of the box and he just struck it wildly.

Blades have lined up as we thought - it's more of a 4-5-1.

Wigan have the first shot of the night as leading scorer Will Keane unleashes a shot from outside the area that flies over the bar.

The Blades defence backs off and backs off and the former Manchester United man doesn't need another invitation.

Just a quick one to say that the game was preceded by a minute's applause for Wigan head of community Tom Flower, who died earlier this month.

Wonderfully observed by both sets of fans.

We're off and running.

Fingers crossed for a pre-Christmas cracker.

Image source, Rex Features

We'd love to hear your thoughts on all EFL matters for our penultimate pre-Christmas live text.

How's your team doing so far and what would you like to see them do in January?

Get in touch using #bbcefl on Twitter.

Image source, Rex Features

If, for whatever reason, you weren't keeping across the EFL action this weekend let me catch you up on what you missed:

• Burnley came back from a goal down to beat Middlesbrough 3-1 at Turf Moor to extend their lead atop the Championship to six points.
• Blackburn claimed a 2-0 win at Norwich to stay third and leave Canaries boss Dean Smith unhappy with the way some of the home fans' turned on him and the team.
• Watford won 2-0 at lowly Huddersfield and QPR were 1-0 winners at Preston in new boss Neil Critchley's first game in charge.
• West Brom continued their surge up the table with a fifth successive win, courtesy of a 3-0 success against Rotherham, and Stoke came from a goal down to beat Bristol City 2-1.
• Swansea pulled off the comeback of the weekend as they overcame a 3-0 deficit to draw 3-3 at Coventry City.

You can read reports from all of Friday and Saturday's Championship games right here.

Wigan go with the same XI that picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at Millwall in Kolo Toure's first game in charge.

Sheffield United welcome back Norway international midfielder Sander Berge for his first league start since 4 October.

The 2022 Qatar World Cup came to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday as Argentina were crowned champions of the world after almost certainly the greatest World Cup final of all time.

Well, that's all over and done with now (I mean, in a general sense, I expect we'll be talking about it for quite some time) and our attentions return fully to domestic matters.

Wigan, under the management of Kolo Toure, are second from bottom in the Championship, while visitors Sheffield United are second from top.

Can the Latics claim just a third home win of the season? Can the Blades close the gap on leaders Burnley back to three points? Will it be as exciting as the World Cup final*?

Stick with us to find out.

*Probably not, no.