When : Saturday March 28 2026, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
Struggling Wigan pop in for their seasonal visit next for what will be either an expected home win or otherwise a right miserable “toys out of the pram” meltdown by most.
Now managed by the former Exeter boss (remember Exeter used to be really useful this season before he left them) Gary Caldwell, Wigan’s form has slowly picked up and the club has won four of its last eight games with just two defeats in that run - so don’t think that getting a win is nailed on, especially as Gary has already masterminded Exeter’s point here back in January. True, Wigan’s away form is pretty much still in the toilet (20th in that form table) but since he arrived Caldwell has got the latics to at least pick up a couple of points on their travels which is improvement on what their supporters had been getting previously and would probably be enough to cause the aforementioned meltdown amongst the Reading fans anyway.
Joe Taylor is the leading scorer with 9 goals but there’s been a good few chipping in like Fraser Murray, Callum Wright and loan striker Paul Mullin. On top of that youngster Harrison Bettoni looked fairly useful when Reading played in the reverse fixture so there will no doubt be plenty to keep what’s left of the Reading defence busy on the day.
And therein lies the problem, the injury list is getting worse. Randell Williams now has a hamstring problem so is unlikely to feature and while Daniel Kyerewaa may be fit enough again he’s unlikely to get anything more than a place on the bench, in addition Kadan Young has been included in the England U20 squad so is another that won’t be available.
Finally a win will push Reading back into the play off places which will look better though may be misleading as most clubs around will have at least a game in hand after not playing in the international break.
Referee
Steven “first 3rd tier game this season” Copeland
Previously
Nothing
Historically
This is the 27th season the two clubs have shared with the first meeting being a 2-0 Reading win at Elm Park back on 26 August 1978, if anyone on this board was there on that day.
Of the previous 26 games Reading have won fifteen against Wigan’s seven. The biggest home win was 4-0 back in September 1992 while Wigan have managed three 3-0 away wins in their time (1989, 2013 & 2020).
Reading currently are on a roll of 2 wins and a draw from the last three Wigan visits though, so there’s something there to defend.
How to follow the game
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use an RoyalTV subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
- Or you can always just go and get a ticket
