Wigan vs Reading prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2022-09-16 14:00.
Leam Richardson praised his Wigan Athletic side’s work ethic as they struck late to beat Huddersfield Town in midweek to extend their unbeaten run to three (W2, D1), and the same desire may well need to be on display again if the Latics are to correct a poor recent record against Reading at this level (W1, D1, L4). If they can take the contest to the latter stages though, Wigan might feel confident of securing victory, having scored a winner after the 80th minute in three of their last five games, albeit all three were on the road.
After earning promotion from League One last season, Wigan are sitting pretty inside the top half, losing just one of their opening eight games, a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of local rivals Burnley. If further progress is to be made, an improvement on home soil is likely necessary, as the Latics are winless at the DW Stadium in their last six games (D4, L2).
Reading’s 100% home record in the Championship this season came to an end at the hands of Sunderland in their last outing, a result that “brought us back down to earth” in the words of boss Paul Ince. A third defeat by a 3+ goal margin of the season now raises questions about the Royals’ defensive capabilities ahead of their trip to Lancashire.
Despite that, Reading remain inside the play-off places at this early stage, although the Championship’s famous competitiveness means that position is hardly secure, with just six points separating Ince’s men from the bottom three. A result either way in this contest looks likely though, as Reading have now gone 13 competitive matches without a draw (W5, L8).
Players to watch: Callum Lang broke his Championship duck in the win over Huddersfield, and Wigan have lost just once when he has been on the scoresheet since the start of last season (W10, D4). For the opposition, Lucas JoĂŁo has opened the scoring in nine of his last ten goalscoring appearances, five of which arrived inside the first seven minutes!
Hot stat: Reading have conceded before half-time in seven of their last ten games.