It was an annoying game on Saturday with the Royals losing out to a last-minute goal from Wycombe Wanderers’ new signing, Danny Ings. Jayden Wareham scored against us again and, despite Paudie O’Connor and Jacob Brown getting goals, the game finished in a draw.
If you look stats-wise, it probably deserved to be a draw, but the game itself in my opinion showed Reading should have won. It was another lapse in judgement right at the end that has yet again cost us points.
Bradford City played in midweek
against Newcastle United’s under-21s, with that game ending in a 2-1 victory. But it was the game against Luton Town that saw Bradford go top of the league, and they’ve now won their last three league games.
Only three teams have scored fewer goals than Bradford’s seven, but they’ve only conceded four times in seven games – compared to Reading’s 16 scored and nine conceded. Jack Marriott himself has more goals than Bradford this season.
Silly mistakes in winnable games are costing Reading at the minute, but playing against good teams at home is where the Royals thrive. This will be the best game of the weekend.
We are still in the international break so Charlie Savage and Jeriel Dorsett will once again be unavailable in this one, alongside George Earthy, who has picked up an injury, leaving him out for the next few weeks. Andy Rinomhota is back from international duty.
In this preview I will talk about how Bradford set up and why defensively they are the best team in the league, and I will give my predictions.
We are into October now with the third day of the month bringing us this top-half clash. On Saturday the Royals are looking to jump into the top six while Bradford are going to try their best to hold onto top spot.
Played at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, and available on Sky Sports+, it kicks off at 3pm with Paul Howard refereeing this one. He averages 3.7 yellow cards per match and 22.5 fouls. This is about average for a referee.
Bradford
I’m back with some analysis on the opposition team!
Bradford, I think, have the best back line in the league and it is showing.
Jon McCracken is by far the best goalkeeper in the division, with him pulling off countless numbers of saves to help Bradford be where they are now. Aden Baldwin is another who is having an incredible season. Just in the last game against Luton, he had 14 defensive contributions, including one tackle, three blocks and eight clearances.
Their back-three setup is one Reading struggled against last season, with the Royals needing two very late goals to get the victory. In the reverse fixture however, the Bradford defence had a great game, keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 win.
However, there are differences between this year’s and last year’s Reading. The main one? Kyreece Lisbie.
His pace is what I think can break down Bradford’s solid defence. The ability to take on his man is something the club has missed on the right.
Last season we had Long Kelvin but this year we have both Paddy Lane and Lisbie who aren’t afraid to take a man on. A three-at-the-back formation is great, but it is difficult to handle pacey wingers after committing too many men forward, and not pulling out your centre-backs.
If played correctly, Jack Marriott could have a field day.
My predictions
I think it will be an unchanged side from last time out at Wycombe.
Joel Pereira will be in goal.
Udoka Godwin-Malife, Paudie O’Connor, Benn Ward and Haydon Roberts will be the back line.
Lewis Wing and Liam Fraser will sit in front.
Lisbie, Josh Stokes and Lane will be the attacking three.
Marriott will be the lone striker.
Score prediction: 1-1
Good luck to those going to the game!
Come on you Royals!
