As we gear up for another thrilling League One encounter, Wigan Athletic welcomes Reading FC to The Brick Community Stadium on Saturday, 1st March 2025, at 3 PM. With both teams seeking to strengthen their positions in the league, this clash promises to be a spectacle.
Match Preview & Betting Odds
The odds slightly favour the home side, with Wigan priced at 1.90 for a win, while Reading stands at 3.78. Historically, these matchups average around 2.50 goals per game, meaning we could see a lively contest.
Both Teams to Score (BTTS) is a close call, with a 54% probability. Wigan’s home form remains inconsistent, winning 31% of their matches, while Reading has struggled away, securing just 19% wins on the road. The over 2.5 goals market is valued at 2.05, showing potential for a goal-laden affair.
Current Form & Team Trends
| Team | Last 5 Matches | Goals Scored | BTTS Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wigan Athletic | W-D-D-L-D | 4 | 60% |
| Reading FC | W-D-W-D-W | 4 | 40% |
Wigan is showing signs of improvement, unbeaten in their last three games. However, their 44% blank rate this season indicates struggles in front of goal. Reading, on the other hand, is on a five-game unbeaten run and has kept three clean sheets in their last five matches.
Head-to-Head Record
| Last 5 Meetings | |
|---|---|
| Wigan Athletic 0 – 3 Reading | |
| Reading 1 – 2 Wigan Athletic | |
| Wigan Athletic 1 – 1 Reading | |
| Reading 3 – 2 Wigan Athletic | |
| Wigan Athletic 1 – 0 Reading |
The last meeting saw Reading cruise to a 3-0 victory, but overall, the fixture has been evenly contested, with Wigan winning 7 and Reading 8 of the last 19 encounters.
League Standings
| Team | Position | Points | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading FC | 9th | 50 | +3 |
| Wigan Athletic | 14th | 39 | -2 |
Reading sits 9th with a chance of pushing for the playoff spots, while Wigan languishes in 14th, needing a strong finish to avoid a disappointing season.
Key Players to Watch
Wigan Athletic:
- Thelo Aasgaard – 9 goals
- Dale Taylor – 7 goals, 7 assists
- Scott Smith – Most bookings (8)
Reading FC:
- Harvey Knibbs – 11 goals – 2 Assists
- Billy Bodin – 4 goals
- Amadou Salif Mbengue – Most bookings (7)
Managerial Previews
Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic Manager):
“The players are showing signs that we can be an attacking threat. If Reading press high, we’ll have space to exploit. We need to maintain our momentum from the Huddersfield win.”
Reading FC Manager:
“We’ve got a young, vibrant squad full of enthusiasm. Wigan were brilliant in their last game, but we have the quality to get a result.”
Match Officials
- Referee: Ollie Yates
- Assistant Referees: Mark Cunliffe & David Holmes
- Fourth Official: Scott Jackson
Yates has officiated 19 games this season, issuing 88 yellow cards and 3 red cards. With his high booking rate, discipline could play a key role in this fixture.
Final Prediction
With Wigan’s home form struggling and Reading’s recent unbeaten run, this match could be closely fought. Wigan’s defensive vulnerabilities (xG against 1.03) could be exploited by Reading, but the Latics are showing promise in attack.
My Prediction: Wigan Athletic 1 – 2 Reading FC
My Dads Prediction: Wigan Athletic 1 – 1 Reading FC
Expect an exciting clash where we hope that Reading’s superior form gives them the slight edge, but Wigan won’t go down without a fight!
