Wiganvs.Reading

The Royals are currently ninth in the League One table and could move into the playoff zone with a win this weekend, whereas the Latics are 14th, and seven points clear of the drop.

Match preview

After picking up just one win in all competitions throughout January, February proved to be much kinder to Reading, as they went through the month unbeaten.

The club secured two wins and three draws during that month, including a goalless encounter with league leaders Birmingham City last time out.

That point could end up being valuable in a week that promotion rivals Leyton Orient lost twice in, including a 2-0 defeat at Birmingham in midweek.

The visitors have their exceptional home record to thank for being in contention for promotion, with 35 of their 50 points won this season being earned at home.

Their first home triumph of the season came in the reverse fixture back in August, when goals from Charlie Savage and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan secured a 2-0 win for Reading.

It has been a different story on the road for Noel Hunt's side this year, as they have only won three games away from home in the league, and they have just won once in their last nine outings on the road in all competitions.

They will search for their fourth away league win this weekend against a Wigan team that have, in contrast to their opponents, performed better on their travels this season, with 20 of their 39 points coming away from home.

Reading have had mixed fortunes since Ruben Selles left the club for Hull City back in December, with Hunt helping secure 20 points from his opening 15 matches in charge at the club.

The Irishman won three of his opening six league matches, but the Royals have won just twice in the nine league fixtures since.

This weekend, they take on a Wigan side that have a better defensive record than their opponents so far this season, but they struggle at the other end of the pitch, with just 30 goals in 32 matches, compared to Reading's 46 goals in the same number of games.

Last time out, Shaun Maloney's side ended a six-game winless run in all competitions, as goals from Dale Taylor and Owen Dale helped seal a 2-1 win over Huddersfield Town in midweek.

Having finished 12th last season in their first season back in League One following their relegation from the Championship, the hosts find themselves two places lower this time around, and the Latics are 14 points off the playoff zone.

With many clubs sandwiched between themselves and the relegation zone, it appears as if Wigan will most likely be playing in League One again next term.

Their win over Huddersfield on Tuesday came just after a goalless draw away to high-flying Wycombe Wanderers, which shows that Wigan are more than capable of mixing it with the top teams in the division on their day.

If they can find a way to win against another promotion hopeful this weekend, it will move them further away from the relegation zone, and it could also provide them with a good platform for the closing months of the campaign.

Wigan Athletic League One form:

L

D

L

D

D

W

Wigan Athletic form (all competitions):

D

L

L

D

D

W

Reading League One form:

L

W

D

D

W

D

Team News

The hosts will be without several players, with Joe Adams (cruciate) and Tyrese Francois (ankle) out for the foreseeable future.

Elsewhere, Luke Chambers (back), Matt Smith (hamstring) and Kai Payne (knee) are also sidelined due to injuries.

In better news for the hosts, Dion Rankine returned to the matchday squad for the first time since December for the match against Huddersfield earlier in the week.

Meanwhile, the visitors are still without midfielder Ben Elliott, who is a long-term absentee for the Royals.

In a further blow for Hunt's side, Harlee Dean is out of contention with a calf injury after limping off in a recent clash with Huddersfield.

Wigan Athletic possible starting lineup:

Tickle; Mellish, Aimson, Kerr, Sibbick; Dale, Norburn, Adeeko, J Smith; Taylor, Darcy

Reading possible starting lineup:

Pereira; Garcia, Bindon, Mbengue, Craig; Knibbs, Wing, Savage; Campbell, Ehibhatiomhan, Camara

We say: Wigan Athletic 1-1 Reading

Reading have not been the same side away from home this season, so we think that this game will end in a draw.

Written by

Tom Humphrey

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