Reading vs Bolton Wanderers: Match Preview
The Royals return to the SCL, looking to bounce back from a trio of defeats, the last of which came at Burton Albion in midweek.
Three league losses in a row and rumours of transfers looming around the Royals... now is the best time to show the fans what is left at the club.
The Royals see themselves in 10th place in League One, having most recently lost 3-2 to Burton Albion on Tuesday. Although they managed to claw it back to 2-2, it was overall a disappointing performance from Reading, showing that there is still a lot of work to do if the Royals do want to reach the playoffs at the end of the season.
Bolton Wanderers however are loving life at the minute, sitting seventh in the league, having won three of their last five, including their last game - 3-1 against Northampton Town. Form at Bolton has flipped since we last played them, spirits are high and sometimes that is all is needed to come to a poor-performing side and win.
In this preview I will mention players who have played for both, give a Sam Smith tribute and share my lineup for the weekend.
What? League One matchday 28
Season? 2024/25
Who? Bolton Wanderers
Where? Select Car Leasing Stadium
When? Saturday February 1
Time? 15:00
Opposition manager? Stephen Schumacher
Sam Smith
The striker came through Reading’s academy, making eight appearances for the first team and getting multiple loan moves out before leaving the club in 2021. He went on to make 91 appearances for Cambridge United, scoring 28 goals - he was loving life and creating a partnership like no other with Harvey Knibbs.
Smith signed for the Royals back in 2023 alongside teammate Knibbs from Cambridge. Since then he has played 59 games for the club, scoring 26 goals, helping the Royals to a solid mid-table finish last season, and helping them into a playoff push this season.
Scoring 11 goals in 2024/25, Smith has earned himself a well deserved move to Hollywood Wrexham, where he has a great chance to play in the Championship next season.
It puts the Royals into a bit of a predicament as, due to the club’s lack of financial backing, we’re unable to sign a replacement. This means the club are going to have to rely on Kelvin Ehibhationham and Jayden Wareham to fill that spot.
I just want to say thank you for everything he has done for the club and good luck in your future at Wrexham.
Players who have played for both
A total of 18 players have played for both Reading and Bolton. Here are five of them now.
Adam Le Fondre has played for quite a few clubs in League One, so here he is again. Making 104 appearances for the Royals, the striker managed 39 goals and six assists both in the top flight and the Championship. Winning player of the month in the January of the Premier League season, he has gone down as one of the best strikers the club has ever had.
Moving to Bolton in 2014, ALF made 75 appearances, scoring 21 goals and getting four assists. He is beloved by fans of both clubs so he had to be included in this.
Goalkeeper Luke Southwood started his career off by coming through the Royals’ academy but struggled to make that goalkeeping position his own when becoming a first-team player. He played a total of 47 games and had a save percentage of 66.5%.
He is at Bolton currently and has made 14 appearances for the club, including starting against Northampton Town in their last game. A save percentage of 57.4% and a top performance against Huddersfield Town has meant him keeping his place going into the Reading match.
Jem Karacan is one we haven’t heard of in a while. He made a whopping 156 appearances for the Royals and became club captain in the 2014/15 season. In his time with Reading he scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists.
He moved to Bolton in 2016 where he played 23 games, scoring twice. He is currently a football agent and represents a few Reading players including Lewis Wing.
Les Ferdinand played 12 times for the Royals, scoring once and assisting once in the second half of 2004/05. For Bolton he had the same record, played 12 times, scoring once and assisting once in the first half of the same season.
I think that is a pretty decent stat for the stat lovers like me. Playing the same amount and getting the same number of goal contributions for twos club in the same season has got to be a pretty rare one.
Danny Guthrie was at Bolton in 2007, playing 32 games but without managing a goal involvement while at the club.
He signed for the Royals from Newcastle United in 2012, where he played 64 times, scoring five and assisting six.
My lineup
Obviously there will need to be changes from the Burton game.
Joel Pereira will be in goal. Conceding three at Burton won’t be enough for him to lose his spot so I expect him to be straight back in goal.
The back line will be Michael Craig, Harlee Dean, Tyler Bindon and Abraham Kanu. I think Andre Garcia did well against Burton but, due to the loss of Smith, he will be deployed further down the pitch in this one.
In midfield I expect Noel Hunt will keep it the same in Charlie Savage, Lewis Wing and Harvey Knibbs. The trio had performed well, but with three losses on the bounce, I can see a change coming soon.
In attack there will be obvious changes. No more Smith means Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan will be the main striker. He will play alongside Chem Campbell and Garcia.
Score prediction: 1-1
This was going to be a tough game anyway, but without Smith it will be even more of a struggle.
Make sure to support the lads and fill the stadium.
Come on you Royals!