When : Tuesday February 10, 2026, 7.45pm
Where : The Brick Community Stadium
, Loire Drive, Robin Park, Wigan, WN5 0UHCapacity : 25,138
Next it’s game number three of three successive away trips and it culminates in some SKY coverage so those with a subscription can actually watch what unfolds (not recommended for those of a nervous disposition).
It’s a return for Leam to old friends as it was only 4 years or so ago he was leading Wigan to the League One title and promotion to the Championship therefore he should be well aware what expect and have Reading suitably primed.
This is one of Reading’s two games in hand (the other is a trip to Mansfield) it is therefore essential to not waste the opportunity with a sub-standard result and performance particularly as Ryan Lowe’s team haven’t been in the best of form and Wigan’s fans have been calling for his departure. Trouble is this is more or less identical territory as we had on Saturday and look what a prime turd of a performance Reading managed to plop out for everyone to admire.
The news is bad. Wigan’s form isn’t at all good, of the Latics last 11 league games they’ve won just once (2-0 at Burton on 29 December) and drawn a further 3 which amounts to a return of 6 points from the last 33 available, and this run reached a new low when they crashed 6-1 at Peterborough last time out. Nevertheless this sort of form is very dangerous territory for a club like Reading with no ability to start a game on the front foot and a less than stellar record away from home in recent seasons. To compound this Wigan haven’t scored a league goal at home since a 1-1 draw with Barnsley on New Year’s Day which is now about 4 hours of football.
As Wigan’s form nosedived the club took the January transfer window as an opportunity to add threat and try to turn its fortunes around so in some ways things are a little bit of an unknown quantity at this moment. Adding to the front line partnership of Dara Costelloe and Harrison Bettoni are Stockport pair Jack Hunt (striker) and Owen Moxon (midfielder). In addition Caylan Vickers came in on loan from Brighton on deadline day so there should still be more than enough to keep Reading management & players busy and concentrated on the task in hand. One thing though that might help matters is that this is Wigan’s last game before heading down to Arsenal in the FA Cup, so let’s hope there’s some reserve about the ‘latic’s players in this game.
Reading’s injury problems are well known; no Elliott, no Williams, no Kyerewaa and now no Keane either I would imagine. One hopes to see Young get a start in place of Lane or Doyle and after the shambolic defending at the Wombles one hopes that one time prime Wigan target Benn Ward can play and add someone who can actually run to the centre of defence.
Wigan may well have appointed a caretaker manager after their dismal performance at Peterborough, they also have a doubt over Stephen Sessegnon to add to the already injured Harry McHugh, Baba Adeeko and Luke Robinson while captain Jason Kerr will face a late fitness test after a knee injury.
Referee
Lee Swabey
Previously
28 Oct 15 > Cardiff City 1-1 Reading
15 Mar 25 > Reading 1-1 Stevenage
16 Sep 23 > Reading 1-0 Bolton Wanderers
Historically
This is the 55th league game against Wigan and the 28th trek to make use of their hospitality.
As you'd expect for most northern outposts Wigan is not an overly happy one for Reading who have always found victories difficult to come by up there, stretching all the way back to Wigan's inaugural FL season in 1978 when Reading crashed 3-0.
In the 27 previous games played, 12 have been lost and 6 won. It took until the 13th visit to record a win (there were none whatsoever managed at Wigan's old home of Springfield Park) so at least the wins are in living memory. Recent form there is actually OK with 3 wins and a draw to show from the last 5 visits.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket and travel
- Sky Red button/NOW app
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use a RoyalTV subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
