City will aim to start the 25/26 season on a high when Reading visit Sincil Bank for the opening clash of the League One campaign this weekend.
The Royals enjoyed a significantly improved 2024/25 season compared to their first term in League One, finishing in seventh position – three points behind playoff finalists Leyton Orient. The ongoing ownership debacle at the Madjeski Stadium had many predicting Reading to have another mid-table season in the third tier, but after coming so close to the top six, several people are backing the Royals to make the next step in the forthcoming campaign and finish in the playoff positions.
Rob Couhig, who recently acquired the club from the infamous Dai Yongge, has shown some ambition this window, recruiting hotshots like Mark O’Mahony on loan from Brighton. With the boardroom saga settled, there is a renewed hope amongst Reading fans, and several have their fingers crossed that this is the year they bounce back up to the Championship.
Reading Transfers
Credit Graham Burrell
The Royals knew prior to the window that some of their prized assets would be under hot pursuit, and the core of a fairly successful squad at this level could be ripped apart. Tyler Bindon went back to Forest, Amadou Mbengue departed for QPR and Harvey Knibbs looks set to go to Charlton for a seven-figure fee.
If this transfer materialises, Reading will have arguably lost their three best players so as a result, the Royals’ recruitment would need to fill in many holes, and so far this window they have done just that.
The capture of former Imps captain Paudie O’Connor is an outstanding signing for this level. Providing he settles in at the Madjeski, Reading have a centre half who has consistently performed above par in League One for Lincoln. Fin Burns on loan from Man City is another good capture to shore up the defence, and whilst he completes a pairing not quite up to the standard of Bindon and Mbengue, O’Connor and Burns will certainly be able do a job towards the top end of the table.
The signing of Mark O Mahony could easily result in a double figures goals tally, and Daniel Kyerewaa comes in from Germany to add some quality to the midfield.
Team News
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In the red corner, there is pretty much a clean bill of health with only a few absentees expected for Saturday’s clash. Dom Jefferies isn’t expected back until after November following a hip operation, and Lewis Monstma is set to watch from the sidelines as he recovers from his own injury, but may still play a part in the game. After coming off in City’s final friendly of preseason against West Brom, Ben House is expected to miss Saturday’s game.
For the visitors, all players are expected to be in Saturday’s match day squad, with no pressing injuries or concerns. Harvey Knibbs is still set to take part despite heavy links to a move to Charlton Athletic.
Match Referee
REFEREE: MARTIN WOODS
Linesmen: Andrew Aylott and Ashley Allen
Fourth Official: Richie Watkins
Martin Woods’ is an official that has been around the bottom end of the EFL for a while now, refereeing over 100 games in League One and League Two respectively. Last season, Woods presided over 23 league matches, with twelve taking place in the third tier. In these dozen games, Woods gave out 37 yellow cards, three reds and pointed to the spot twice.
The referee officiated one Lincoln game last season, a 2-1 defeat to Steve Evans’ Rotherham United at the New York Stadium.
Previous Meetings
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Since being relegated from the second tier, Reading have faced the Imps four times in league action. The first came at Sincil Bank in December 2023, where a Harvey Knibbs strike cancelled out an early Teddy Bishop goal, with the return fixture of this season resulting in another 1-1 draw.
Last season, Bailey Cadamarteri and Reeco Hackett goals gave us a 2-0 win over the Royals at home, and a James Collins header in the return saw us steal a 1-0 victory which saw City complete a league double over Reading for only the second time since the 1976/77 season.