The second game of the Easter weekend brings a trip to Berkshire for the Imps, to face Reading- a visit that could make history as just a single point would be enough to seal promotion to the second tier for the first time since 1961, writes Kyle Fox.
The Royals currently occupy the final play-off spot in sixth place with 62 points, having played 41 matches so far. However, their current position is far from secure. They are four points behind Stockport in fifth, who have played two fewer games, and just one point ahead of Stevenage in seventh, who have also played two fewer than Reading. Wycombe sit eighth on 59 points, while Plymouth are level on points in ninth, having played a game fewer. Huddersfield and Luton are level on 58 points in 10th and 11th, respectively, after 40 games.
After a poor start to their league campaign under Noel Hunt which included his side failing to win any of their first five games before edging past Port Vale with a 1-0 victory at home. A decision was then made to part ways with him on October 26 with the club sitting 19th in the league at that point. Former Wigan boss Leam Richardson was then appointed as his successor and has been successful up to this point. He has a record of 13 wins, eight draws and seven losses since taking over, averaging 1.7 points per game.
Richardson’s side do not have a great defensive record, especially when compared to their peers around them in the table. They have conceded the joint second highest-number of goals of any side in the top half of the league and rank 22nd for clean sheets, with just eight. Additionally, they have failed to keep a clean sheet in 14 of their 20 home matches.
However, the attacking statistics and recent home record showcase why they are placed where they are. The Royals have scored in 19 of their 20 home matches, with the only anomaly being their first home game of the season where they were defeated 2-0 by Huddersfield on 9th August. They are unbeaten in their last ten home matches and have scored a at least two goals in each of their last three home games.
Reading Form
The home side’s form and consistency really started to improve in mid-December, particularly after a 4-1 away win against Plymouth on Boxing Day. They have only lost four times since 18th December, all of which were away from home. More recently, they have picked up some great results against their play off rivals including victories over Bradford, Stockport and Wycombe at home between January and March. They also drew at home to both Bolton and Plymouth while beating Luton away, all within a month between mid-February and mid-March. They did suffer a damaging defeat a couple of weeks ago away at fellow promotion rivals Stevenage.
During the course of their last ten games, a run that included some of the aforementioned results saw them lose just twice, draw four times and win six. Scoring 15 times in the process and conceding 11. It did include disappointing results, with a draw away at Port Vale and a loss away at Mansfield. Their most recent home game came against Wigan where they came out victorious through a convincing 3-0 scoreline, thanks to a brace from Kevin Ehibhatiomhan and a Will Aimson own goal. Their latest outing was away at Huddersfield in which they came within a few seconds of seeing out a 1-0 victory. A Lewis Wing Penalty saw them take the lead on the stroke of half time. They held on to the lead thanks to some heroics from keeper Joel Pereira who made five saves in total. In the 96th minute two ex Imps combined to find an equaliser in the dying embers. A hopeful long ball played by Sean Roughan somehow bypassed the entire Reading defensive line and in to the path of an oncoming Sorensen who was able to finish first time in to the far corner.
Richardson’s side rank 4th for goals per match (1.50) and 10th for shots on target per match despite ranking down in 14th expected goals, having scored 61 from an xG of just 47.9. Defensively, they sit in 10th for goals conceded per match (1.30) and 21st for possession won in the final third per match (2.90). Interestingly, they rank top for interceptions per match (9.70) and fourth for clearances per match (36.2).
Lewis Wing remains a vital player for the Royals, with the captain already registering ten goals and 11 assists in the league this season. Ex Imp Paudie O’Connor has also been a top performer for them this season, alongside centre back partner Derrick Williams. Jack Marriott remains their top scorer and third overall in the division with 16 league goals despite the fact he hasn’t featured since 21st February.
Team News
Due to the extremely quick turnaround, there has not been much information provided by either side regarding fitness and injury news. Lincoln City’s squad is likely to remain the same. With Jackson, Draper, Honohan and Collins all still sidelined for this fixture.
As mentioned above, Reading have been without star man and top scorer Jack Marriott since the end of February. Young defender Benn Ward and attackers Kadan Young and Randell Williams have all been out since the middle of March. Midfielder Ben Elliott has been out of action since October.
Predicted Reading XI
Pereira, Nyambe, O’Connor, Williams, Dorsett, Fraser, Wing, Savage, Kyerewaa, Doyle, Ehibhatiomhan.
Credit Graham Burrell
Previous Meetings
Both sides have met frequently over the past three seasons since Reading’s relegation to League One.
The latest meeting was on the opening day of this season, with Lincoln running out 2-0 winners. Prior to that, Lincoln won 1-0 away at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Ironically, this also came on Easter weekend of last year. Lincoln are unbeaten against the Royals since the first recent meeting in December 2023.
Prediction
Reading 1-1 Lincoln
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