The Royals come into this match from a difficult game against Cardiff City, with their fate now sealed: in League One again next season.
However, a game against another team who have had their future decided is an easier run at the end of the season. Rotherham United have already been relegated to League Two, meaning the Royals could do some major damage to their side.
However, no Jack Marriott – due to an injury picked up this week – means the Royals are low on striker options again. Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan
will have to play up front and, although he has done well there this season, the team themselves play better when Marriott is on the pitch.
The head-to-head is in Reading’s favour with the Royals winning 25, drawing 17 and losing 12. It was Charlie Savage who scored the goal in the last match to cancel out Josh Benson’s opener, with the game finishing 1-1.
In this preview I will mention my player of the season candidates for the Royals and what I think they have done to deserve my nomination, and I will give my predictions for the upcoming game.
What? League One matchday 45
Season? 2025/26
Who? Rotherham United
Where? AESSEAL New York Stadium
When? Saturday April 25
Time? 15:00
Opposition manager? Lee Clark
Player of the season
Reading have had highs and lows this season with players having outstanding games and others having… not so great matches.
I am going to give four players who I think deserve the chance to win Reading’s player of the season award.
I think I have to start with captain fantastic Lewis Wing. How he wasn’t nominated for League One player of the season is beyond me. He currently has 11 goals and 11 assists in 44 games, meaning he is averaging a goal or assist every two matches, which is ridiculous for a midfielder.
Wing is an integral part to how Reading play and I think he is favourite once again to win Reading’s player of the season award.
Next up for me is Joel Pereira. The cat-like goalkeeper has saved us multiple times this season. He has kept seven clean sheets this season, saving one of the two penalties at him.
He has been an incredibly important part of the squad – like he is every season – but his impact has been one of the main parts in us having a playoff run.
I’ll leave my bold shout to the end, but Paudie O’Connor is up next. Signing in the summer, we knew what we were getting. He was the league’s best defender in 2024/25 and has proven that time and time again this season.
It must feel awful leaving a team to go to another side and have your previous club win the league, but he has shown he wants to be here and give his all for the Royals for the next few seasons.
Finally, Kamari Doyle. I think that, without him and Charlie Savage, the Royals will not have been where they are this season.
Never fall in love with a loan player, they say. Well, I think we may have. He has four goals and five assists in 41 games and has been a key aspect in the formation changes. When he plays well, we play well.
I’ll give my player of the season in the final preview of the season.
My lineup
Pereira will start in goal.
O’Connor, Finley Burns and Jeriel Dorsett will be the defence.
Ryan Nyambe, Wing, Liam Fraser and Haydon Roberts will be the midfield.
The attacking three will be Daniel Kyerewaa, Sean Patton and Ehibhatiomhan.
Score prediction: 2-0 Royals!
Good luck to those going to the final away game of the year!
Come on you Royals!
