A draw on Monday means the Royals are 10th and sitting pretty in the top half of the table. A goal from the star man Daniel Kyerewaa opened the scoring and then the Royals seemed OK after that. They played very well defensively but it was a slip-up at the back that allowed three men free in the box and Gustav Lindgren slotted the ball into the net to equalise.
Burton Albion lost again on Monday and they find themselves in 18th, only two points away from safety, but also only two points off Wycombe
Wanderers in ninth, which is a very weird position to be in. The league is so open – anything can happen.
The head-to-head is in Reading’s favour with five wins, one draw and three losses. The last meeting was a win for Burton with them scoring in the last minute of the game to nick it 3-2. It was Rumarn Burrell who got the winner that day.
In this preview I will have a look at the last five Reading games on or near New Year’s Day, seeing if that will determine this result, and I will give my predictions.
What? League One matchday 23
Season? 2025/26
Who? Burton Albion
Where? Select Car Leasing Stadium
When? Thursday January 1
Time? 15:00
Opposition manager? Gary Bowyer
Reading’s recent New Year’s results
- Cambridge United 1-3 Reading, January 1, 2025
- Reading 3-2 Exeter City, January 1, 2024
- West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Reading, January 2, 2023
- Reading 2-2 Derby County, January 3, 2022
- Huddersfield Town 1-2 Reading, January 2, 2021
In the last five years the Royals have won three New Year’s games. Two have been away from home, which is rare for Reading, and one was at the SCL. The Royals are at home this time to opponents that beat us in the last meeting. It will be tough.
The last game was Cambridge away and it was a 3-1 win with Harvey Knibbs and Sam Smith getting the goals.
Before then, Femi Azeez scored late on to give Reading a 3-2 victory against Exeter. Knibbs had opened the scoring, with Alex Hartridge also on the scoresheet for the Royals via an own goal.
In what was the only loss of the five, Daryl Dike got the goal for West Brom for them to win 1-0.
Against Derby County the game finished 2-2. Junior Hoilett scored two goals for the Royals and Colin Kazim-Richards and Curtis Davies got late, late goals to equalise for the visitors.
Finally, Lucas Joao was the match-winner at Huddersfield, with his two goals being enough to stop Frazier Campbell’s opener. The Royals won 2-1.
Three wins from five sees the Royals go into this game with a positive record and hopefully it stays that way.
My predictions
Joel Pereira will be in goal.
Andy Yiadom, Paudie O’Connor, Finley Burns and Jeriel Dorsett will be the defence.
The midfield will be Lewis Wing, Charlie Savage and Kamari Doyle.
The attack will be Mamadi Camara, Jack Marriott and Daniel Kyerewaa.
Score prediction: 3-0 Royals!
Apologies for the small preview, New Year’s is a hectic time for all of us. I hope you all have a happy New Year!
Come on you Royals!
