After being knocked out in the FA Cup to a non-league side for the second time in three years, there needs to be some improvements in the upcoming games for the Royals. However, this will be one of the hardest matches this season.
Stevenage are on the form of their lives, sitting fourth in League One with two games in hand on Cardiff City, who are top. Being able to focus on the league is a good thing for the Royals as they are struggling at the minute, but will new manager Leam Richardson turn things
around after a loss in his first match?
As said before, Stevenage are flying high and are definitely looking like the team to be beaten. Jamie Reid with (five goals) and Harvey White (three goals and three assists) are seemingly the danger players under Alex Revell, with Stevenage really looking like a team wanting to go up.
The head-to-head between the sides is currently in Reading’s favour with four wins, three draws and two losses. The last two games have ended in draws, with own goals appearing in two of the last three matches between the sides.
In this preview I will mention Reading’s best line-up when everyone is fit, suggest formations I would use and players who are an absolute definite in every side, look at the Stevenage side that played Bradford City and give a small analysis on how the Royals could beat the Boro. Plus, I will give my predictions.
What? League One matchday 15
Season? 2025/26
Who? Stevenage
Where? Select Car Leasing Stadium
When? Thursday November 6
Time? 20:00
Opposition manager? Alex Revell
Best XI
As we can all see, Reading haven’t started well, but a lot of injuries to key players haven’t helped that situation. For me there are two options going forward on which formation to play and therefore which players miss out. I’ll start with the more obvious one first.
4-5-1/4-3-3: Pereira; Yiadom, O’Connor, Williams, Dorsett; Wing, Fraser, Doyle; Lane, Marriott, Ritchie
I think, when fit, this will be Reading’s main 11. I actually reckon the loss of Liam Fraser in the past few weeks has had more of an impact than I’ve heard anyone mention. Fraser playing allows Lewis Wing to be further up the field without leaving space behind him.
Also, after his performances since he came back from injury, Andy Yiadom has to start. He has been our best full-back by a country mile this season and he’s only played a handful of games.
3-4-1-1: Pereira; Burns, O’Connor, Williams; Kyerewaa, Wing, Fraser, Garcia; Doyle; Marriott
Playing a back three is in Richardson’s repertoire and it would work well with the players we have.
The only problem with a formation like this is that we have very slow centre-backs. If the wing-backs get caught too far up the pitch, we would be liable to a counter-attack if done correctly. This is why I have chosen fast wing-backs.
Stevenage
Stevenage have some key men who are dragging this side a lot higher than most people had them in their predictions. Revell has done very well with the side he has been given and, if I were a neutral. I would be rooting for them to be the ones to win the league.
But they have dropped points recently. Against Bradford it finished 1-1, with White scoring an equaliser for the Boro after 18 minutes.
Bradford had all but one of their shots in the second half, showing that it is defensively where Stevenage shine. Bradford barely had a sniff at goal but had more of the ball to try and do so. However, both teams only had two shots on target each.
It will be difficult to stop Stevenage but we have a few players who will be able to get involved a little more than usual. With Matt Ritchie injured, it is likely that Daniel Kyerewaa starts.
He is rapid and can get into really good positions off the ball. He just needs to work on his shooting. I think he grabs a goal and may cause an upset in this match.
Another player who I think will have an impact is the on-form Kamari Doyle. He has made the attacking-midfield position his own in recent games and, although the results haven’t been clinched, he can be the game-changer we need to boost the morale of the players and fans.
Lineups
Jack Stevens will start in goal. He really needs to improve a little bit. It may seem harsh but it was his mistake that once again meant Reading lost the game on Saturday and these small mistakes need to stop.
Yiadom, Paudie O’Connor, Derrick Williams and Jeriel Dorsett will be the back line. Like I said earlier, I think this is the best back four we have.
The midfield will consist of Wing, Charlie Savage and Doyle. Wing has had some unnecessary criticism going around online and it’s not justified in my opinion. He is one of our best players and is showing that with the goals he is popping up with this season, yet again.
The attack will be Paddy Lane, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and Kyerewaa.
Score prediction: 1-1
Good luck to those going to the game!
Come on you Royals!
