A 1-1 draw with Bradford City would have been a great result before the game started, but looking at the match itself, we dominated for 75% of it game and potentially deserved more. A lower xG but more shots on target and more possession saw the Royals actually playing well without Jack Marriott.
MK Dons haven’t had a league game in a while, but they have played in the EFL Trophy, beating Crawley Town 4-1 and Brentford’s under-21s 7-1, with a Bees defender getting the lowest average rating I have seen
in a very long time (Caelan Avenell getting a 1.7 on FotMob).
In terms of the league, the Dons currently sit 22nd. They have had a poor start and the hope is that this continues.
On Saturday October 10, the Royals head to Stadium MK to face MK Dons. A capacity of 30,500 people and a weather forecast of 14 degrees could be a pleasant showing for both sets of fans.
It will be Matthew Corlett that referees this one. He averages 4.6 yellow cards and 23.9 fouls per match. He has refereed one League One match this season and has given a penalty in that game.
In this preview I will mention players who have played for both and I will give my predictions.
Players who have played for both
Here are four players to have played for both MK Dons and Reading.
Luke Chadwick appeared 15 times for Reading, scoring once. He played for one season in 2002.
A massive increase however saw him play 246 games for MK Dons between 2008 and 2014. He scored 24 goals and got 26 assists.
Simon Church played 122 times for Reading, scoring 23 goals and getting six assists.
For MK Dons he played 23 games, scoring three and assisting two.
Liam Kelly played 94 times for Reading between 2016 and 2019, scoring nine and assisting nine.
He has just left MK Dons but made 88 appearances for them between 2024 and 2026. In this time he scored three goals and got 13 assists. He now plays for League One side Peterborough United.
Finally, Sam Baldock, who played 74 times for Reading, scoring 11 and assisting five.
He played 125 games for MK Dons, scoring 43 goals and getting six assists.
My predictions
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 Andy Rinomhota will sit in front of the defence.
Kyreece Lisbie, Josh Stokes and Paddy Lane will be the attacking midfield trio.
Jacob Brown will be the lone striker.
Score prediction: 3-1 Reading
Good luck to those going to the game (and survive in Milton Keynes).
Come on you Royals!
