Reading vs Wigan Athletic Prediction: Wigan faces a crucial match in Berkshire on Saturday

Reading is set to host Wigan Athletic on Saturday at the Madejski Stadium. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes? 

Reading is currently experiencing an 11-game winless streak after a loss to Coventry City, who are aiming for Premier League promotion. Lucas Joao's goal for Reading was sandwiched between two goals from Coventry City's Matt Godden and Gustavo Hamer. The Royals have not won an away match since November and have suffered a six-point deduction, leaving them in 22nd place in the Championship standings with two games remaining. Despite drawing against Hull City, Birmingham City, Burnley, and Luton Town, the Royals need to secure a victory against Wigan to increase their chances of avoiding relegation, especially as relegation rivals Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town are playing against each other on Sunday.

Lumley; Yiadom, Holmes, Sarr, Guinness-Walker; Azeez, Hendrick, Casadei, Fornah; Long, Joao

Wigan's chances of avoiding relegation were kept alive after they secured a crucial 2-1 victory against Millwall, with Will Keane and Thelo Aasgaard scoring the goals for the Latics. Their consecutive wins in the last two games, which happened for the first time since September, have given the team a glimmer of hope of surviving in the Championship. Like their upcoming opponents Reading, Wigan has also suffered from a points deduction from the EFL this season, without which they would have been in a more favourable position. However, the reality is that despite the recent victories, Wigan remains at the bottom of the Championship table and four points away from safety. With only a game left, it seems like the DW Stadium faithful would have to come to terms with an immediate return to the third tier. The 2012-13 FA Cup winners have been familiar with tough times over the past decade since their historic triumph over Manchester City at Wembley.

Jones; Rekik, Whatmough, Nyambe; Darikwa, Power, Tiehi, McClean; Lang, Aasgaard, Keane

Despite the sacking of Paul Ince, Reading has not seen a significant improvement in their form. The new manager, Noel Hunt, has been struggling with a challenging run of fixtures. On the other hand, Wigan faces a crucial match in Berkshire on Saturday. It appears that their short stint in the Championship will come to an end. Expect under 2.5 goals in the game.