After a disappointing loss to Cambridge United, the Royals now play Premier League opposition in the cup.
The game against Cambridge was one we should actually lift ourselves up on. The Royals played well and should have put away way more chances than they did and, in my opinion, got less than they deserved from that match.
Cambridge themselves had a poor first half but massively improved in the second. They were the better team in that half and they deserved to get points from that game.
Brentford
recently drew with Bournemouth, with Kevin Schade scoring twice to cancel out goals from Justin Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier. Brentford sit sixth in the Premier League at the time of writing, meaning there’s a total of 52 places between the two sides.
The Bees have turned into a mainstay top-flight team over the years and many have them challenging for the European places this season. Striker Igor Thiago was on fire last season but hasn’t quite yet got off the mark. Schade has been amazing this season and will be one to watch.
The last three games between the sides have resulted in losses for the Royals, but both teams have grown massively since then, so this could be an interesting game.
Tuesday September 15 brings the third round of the EFL Cup to the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Starting at 8pm, the two sides battle for a place in the next round.
The game will be live on Sky Sports + and refereed by Tom Niel. He averages 3.8 yellow cards and 23.5 fouls per match.
In this preview I will mention players who have played for both and I will give my predictions for what will be the hardest game of the season so far.
Players who have played for both
It feels nice bringing this back.
There are a total of 31 players to have played for both teams (that’s a lot). Here are five of them:
Ivar Ingimarsson was a legend for Reading, playing 282 games, scoring 12 goals and getting four assists from centre-back. Appearing in the 106 season and two of the three season the Royals were in the Premier League, he was a loyal servant for the club over the seven years he was in Berkshire.
Before that he had two years with Brentford: 120 games and 11 goals. Playing very well for both teams, he was a great defender.
Liam Moore is the next player on the list. Having played 234 games for Reading, Moore was loved by some and hated by others. He was a captain and was a brilliant defender. He scored eight goals and got five assists for Reading.
Across two loan spells in 2013 and 2015 he played 10 games for Brentford, not managing either a goal or an assist.
Jay Tabb is a name I haven’t thought about in a while. Getting 147 games for Brentford between 2000 and 2005, he scored 22 goals and registered eight assists.
He played 105 games for Reading, not scoring but assisting nine goals in his time with the Royals.
Ibrahima Sonko played 136 games for Reading, scoring eight goals and getting two assists, helping Reading achieve a seventh-place finish in their first-ever Premier League season after the 106.
He was a great defender and is a lovely person, one of the few footballers I have met.
Before Reading, he made 86 appearances for Brentford, scoring nine times.
Finally, Harlee Dean, the most capped player for Brentford on this list with 249 appearances. In this time he scored 10 goals and assisted eight.
Late on in his career, Dean signed for Reading. He played 39 games for the club, scoring once and assisting once.
My predictions
Joel Pereira will start in goal.
Ashqar Ahmed, Conor Masterson, Benn Ward and Haydon Roberts should be the backline.
Charlie Savage and Andy Rinomhota should be the holding two.
Kyreece Lisbie, George Earthy and Daniel Kyerewaa should start higher up.
Jack Marriott will start up front.
Score prediction: 1-1, Reading win on penalties 4-3
A shot in the dark for a prediction but I have hope.
Good luck to those going to the game, hopefully at least the ticket sales are somewhat good.
Come on you Royals!
