Football Bet of the Day: Reading’s leading man to step up again

Reading will be hoping that they can move to within six points of the play-off places in League 1 on Tuesday when they travel to face Wigan Athletic (19:45 GMT, Sky Sports+) at The Brick Community Stadium.

The Latics remain in the bottom three, having just dismissed manager Ryan Lowe from his post. It is from this contest that I have selected my Football Bet of the Day, which you will find below.

Wigan vs Reading Odds

Reading have won five of their last 10 matches in the league and they are 15/8 to come out on top here.

The draw is valued at 9/4, and this has been the outcome in two of the Royals' previous four appearances in the third tier. Wigan are winless in seven league games and they are 7/5 to prevail.

For me, the real betting value lies in the goalscorer market and there is one player who stands out above all the rest - Reading's Jack Marriott. The forward is the 15/8 favourite to score anytime in this fixture, and for good reason.

Only four players - Kyle Wootton, Dom Ballard (both 15), Ashley Fletcher and Davis Keillor-Dunn (both 13) - have scored more goals in League 1 this season than Marriott.

He himself has 12 and his contributions are helping the Royals to shape themselves up for a play-off push. They have work to do if they are to make the top six but with a clinical finisher leading their line, anything is possible in the last few months of the season.

The former Wrexham, Derby County and Peterborough United striker has an excellent record at this level, with 63 goals and 11 assists in 159 appearances. He may be 31 years of age now but he looks like he is at the peak of his powers, and his experience is serving Reading well.

Marriott got up and running for the season on his second appearance against Barnsley, having signed from Wrexham in the summer. The attacker scored in five consecutive games before an injury disrupted his rhythm.

Upon returning in December, it didn't take him long to pick up where he left off, netting in the 3-2 home victory against Luton Town. Marriott now has seven goal in his past 10 outings in League 1 and his 12 for the campaign have come in just 19 appearances.

The front man is averaging 0.75 goals per 90 and comes into Tuesday's meeting with Wigan having scored in his last two matches against Northampton Town and AFC Wimbledon.

The Latics will most likely be reeling from their 6-1 humiliation at Peterborough United last time out, and Marriott will itching to face such a vulnerable defence. Given how excellent he has been for Reading this term, I think he continues to be worth backing to get on the scoresheet.

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