I seem to be starting a preview like this a few too many times this season, but a loss at the weekend has put the Royals in another difficult stage of not being able to win multiple games in a row. The last time we did so was the start of January against both Burton Albion and Stockport County.
Beating AFC Wimbledon was something we could have managed, or at least a draw. Marcus Browne scoring a hat-trick was avoidable. That second goal especially: what was Joel Pereira doing?
And then the third goal
was very poor from Liam Fraser, just giving the ball away in his own half. Paudie O’Connor is also at fault for pushing someone over, allowing the guy with the ball to just walk through and play a pass to Browne, who slotted in his third of the afternoon, capping off a disappointing day for the Royals.
Wigan Athletic are in a horrible run of form with their loss at the weekend being a 6-1 defeat to Peterborough United. Kyrell Lisbie scored a hat-trick in this one but Jimmy-Jay Morgan, Harry Leonard and Pemi Aderoju also got on the scoresheet, summing up what kind of day it was for Wigan.
This is a game the Royals should win. Wigan are 21st and in the relegation zone for a reason. Manager Ryan Lowe was sacked at the weekend.
In the head-to-head in the 21st century, the Royals are ahead with 15 wins, 8 draws and 10 losses. The last game was a victory for the Royals, with Jayden Wareham and Tyler Bindon scoring to cancel out Josh Kerr’s opener.
This is the first time we have played Wigan this season, so we’re not sure what to expect from them.
In this preview I am going to mention players who have played for both as there have been a few new mentions, and I will give my predictions.
What? League One matchday 30
Season? 2025/26
Who? Wigan Athletic
Where? The Brick Community Stadium
When? Tuesday February 10
Time? 19:45
Opposition manager? Glenn Whelan and Graham Barrow (interim)
Players who have appeared for both
Here are four of those to have represented Reading and Wigan.
Will Keane is a loanee for Reading who has played five games and scored two goals for the Royals so far this season. He appeared 133 times for Wigan, scoring 50 and assisting 15, being Wigan’s top scorer in their title-winning 2021/22 campaign.
Ryan Nyambe is another one of the Royals’ new signings and has played four games this season, equating to 280 minutes of football so far for the right-back. He played 33 times for Wigan in 2022/23, managing neither a goal nor an assist.
Caylan Vickers joined Wigan in January on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion and why Barnsley let him go I don’t know. He has made one appearance so far, playing 12 minutes for the Latics in their last game. He will be a world-beater and will undoubtably score against the Royals.
He played 22 games for the Royals before being picked up by Brighton, having scored three and assisted three.
Finally, a blast from the past and one of my favourites, Adam Le Fondre. He played 110 games for the Royals, scoring 47 goals and getting seven assists. For Wigan he played 13 games, scoring one goal.
My lineup
Joel Pereira will start in goal.
Nyambe, O’Connor, Jeriel Dorsett and Hayden Roberts will be the defence.
The midfield will consist of Kamari Doyle, Lewis Wing, Charlie Savage and Kadan Young.
Keane and Jack Marriott will be the attack.
Score prediction: 3-0 Royals!
Good luck to everyone going to the game!
Come on you Royals!
