After losing to both Doncaster Rovers and top-of-the-table Lincoln City, the Royals now host Cardiff City, who are also looking to be automatically promoted.
The Royals are playing some horrible football under Leam Richardson and even the players are rumoured to be complaining now. We were warned by Wigan Athletic fans that his style of play may win us games but it definitely isn’t pretty to watch. Gloom is going over the Reading fanbase, just waiting to see what happens next with Richardson still
in charge.
Cardiff managed a late, late draw against Huddersfield Town with Yousef Salech getting the goal to equalise in the fifth minute of added time in the second half. The 6 foot 5 striker is really starting to come along in this Bluebirds side and his 14 goals this season have helped Cardiff pretty much achieve promotion back to the Championship.
The Welsh team were always destined to go back up and I just want to say a potential congratulations to them and Lincoln for making that happen.
The head-to-head between the sides is in the Royals’ favour with 29 wins, 24 draws and 26 defeats. Despite this, Reading haven’t beaten Cardiff since 2022, when Shane Long and Tom Ince scored the goals to win the game 2-1 for the Royals.
In this preview I will mention more players who have played for both and I will give my predictions.
What? League One matchday 43
Season? 2025/26
Who? Cardiff City
Where? Select Car Leasing Stadium
When? Saturday April 18
Time? 15:00
Opposition manager? Brian Barry-Murphy
Players who have played for both
Chris Gunter played a whopping 314 times for the Royals, managing five goals and 17 assists from right-back.
He appeared 35 times for Cardiff, managing no goals and one assist.
Midfielder Danny Drinkwater played 34 times for Reading in the 2020/21 season. In this campaign he managed one goal and one assist.
10 years prior he played 12 games for Cardiff, providing one assist but not scoring.
Gabriel Osho played 10 games for Reading, registering one assist.
He is currently playing for Cardiff and has managed 20 games so far this season. He is yet to have a goal involvement.
Current Reading player Andy Rinomhota is on his second stint at the club. He has played 141 times for Reading, scoring four goals and getting seven assists.
In his two-year tenure with Cardiff he played 82 games, getting six assists.
Finally, Adam Le Fondre. Alf played 110 times for Reading, scoring 41 goals and getting seven assists for the club.
After leaving the Royals he signed for Cardiff, where he played 25 times, scoring three goals and getting two assists.
My lineup
Joel Pereira starts in goal.
Paudie O’Connor, Derrick Williams and Jeriel Dorsett will start in defence.
The midfield will be Ryan Nyambe, Lewis Wing, Liam Fraser and Daniel Kyerewaa.
The attack will consist of Charlie Savage, Jack Marriott and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan.
Score prediction: 1-1
If we do have Marriott back, God help Cardiff.
Good luck to those going to the game!
Come on you Royals!
