Reading vs Lincoln City: Match Preview
Can the Royals grab a home win on Good Friday?
Reading are currently in strong form, having only lost one game in their last 15, but an upsetting 0-0 draw against Northampton Town has left the Royals realising they might have a lack of firepower. But there’s always a chance things could go in Reading’s favour and the players just had an off day last weekend.
Lincoln City love draws (13) with only three teams having more. Their last two games have been draws, with them being polar opposites.
Against Shrewsbury Town, Lincoln had many chances to grab another goal but couldn’t find it, drawing 1-1. Against Charlton Athletic it was the opposite. Although there were four goals in this 2-2, the Addicks could have had three or four.
Two different results in those matches and Lincoln would have been closer to Blackpool than where they are now. But with nothing for them to play for, we’re unsure which Lincoln side will turn up in this one.
In this preview I will talk about what Reading will need to do to secure playoffs in the next few games, I will get some insight from Lincoln writer Jamie Ward, and I will have my predictions in for the match.
What? League One matchday 43
Season? 2024/25
Who? Lincoln City
Where? Select Car Leasing Stadium
When? Friday April 18
Time? 15:00
Opposition manager? Michael Skubala
What do Reading need to do in the playoff run-in?
Looking at Reading’s fixtures as well as others’ around us, here is a minimum of what Reading need to do to secure playoffs.
Our main threat at the minute is miraculously Leyton Orient, who have come into the fight very late but have a larger goal difference and are only three points away. Orient have three difficult games ahead - Barnsley, Wycombe Wanderers and Huddersfield Town - but the trickiest one will be Cambridge United on Monday.
They are scrapping for relegation and relegation-battling teams always give their all against top teams. Look at when Burton Albion last beat Reading. That is the best I’ve seen them play and that is what took them out of the relegation zone. Although Cambridge have lost their most recent game, against Charlton, draws with Huddersfield and Wrexham have brought a little bit of life into their fans and they could have a chance of beating the Os.
Realistically, Orient need a minimum of seven points from those games to have a chance of getting into the playoffs. With their superior goal difference, they are the main threat. If they tie on points with Reading then they will be the ones in the top six.
Looking at both Huddersfield and Bolton Wanderers, recent results haven’t gone their way. Huddersfield losing to both Wycombe and Burton has left them five points behind and with no momentum to take into their last four games. Also facing Cambridge, their hardest game is Orient on the final day, which could dictate who gets into the top six. This will be the match to watch.
If Huddersfield fail to win in their next three matches this will be a nothing game to them, so we want them to have something to fight for as it gives them more incentive against the Os. This may be the only way Reading can get in as long as they perform as well.
Bolton have some difficult fixtures as well, with Wycombe being their next game. Similar to Huddersfield, they will need realistically eight, maybe nine points to be in with a shot. I think Bolton have more of a chance than Huddersfield when I compare their fixtures, but anything can happen in football.
Bolton are playing three teams that, right now, have nothing to fight for. Although mathematically Peterborough United can still go down, being both six points and six places above the drop zone means they can breathe a sigh of relief. But hopefully not too much relief that they don’t give it their all against Bolton.
Now let’s get onto Reading. Lincoln, Mansfield Town, Bristol Rovers and Barnsley are the games we have left.
Only one team realistically has something to play for, with Bristol Rovers still in the relegation zone. If both Burton and Bristol Rovers win this week and the three below them fail to, both Cambridge and Shrewsbury will be officially relegated. That then decreases their chances of going down by closing off two of the spots.
Lincoln is going to be a hard one and I am looking forward to it, given my family dynamic. The Mansfield game will allow us to see what Caylan Vickers can do, as well as prove we can beat a team that are very defensively solid, while Barnsley will allow me to end this season in style. Well, until we reach the playoffs that is.
It is looking like Reading will need to match Orient in points. If Reading are able to get seven points, they will be out of reach by the time they play Barnsley. Getting two wins in the next two games would take the stress off the team massively and it would all but confirm our place in the playoffs, and my ticket to Wembley of course.
Q&A with Jamie Ward
Jamie Ward is a writer for “The Real EFL”. His latest piece was actually about the upcoming game, getting points from the man himself Noel Hunt. It is a very good article and definitely worth a read.
I asked him a few questions.
With a few draws lately and the games seeming quite opposing, how do you reckon Lincoln will face against a Reading side who have one hand on the playoffs?
“Few would forgive Lincoln for having one foot on the beach but Michael Skubala has made it clear that he is using these last four games to plan for next season. The Shrewsbury game was a huge disappointment after taking an early lead, especially coming off the back of good results against Charlton and Huddersfield.
“As usual, we will be extremely tough to beat and expect a physical game. Reading aside, our remaining games see us face Bolton, Stockport and Wrexham, so we are still hoping to have our say on the promotion race.”
After checking the WhoScored app you recommended to me, it seems Lincoln are now playing a back-four system. Is that going to help you considering Reading also play the same formation? Also, will your midfield be overwhelmed without Erhahon?
“We switched to a back four earlier this year, which actually benefitted us. It allowed Jovon Makama to move out to the right wing, which suited his attributes much more. It also saw us start to control the game a little more and enjoy more possession - it’s no coincidence we’ve started scoring more goals.
“Erhahon was a huge miss. He is a Championship-quality player and it was great to see him make his return in the last game. It showed what we have been lacking at times in the centre of the park. It wouldn’t be a shock to see him start at Reading.”
Do you mind giving a prediction?
“We seem to have become a bit of a bogey team for Reading since they’ve dropped into League One. Having watched them at Sincil Bank in December, they were bullied throughout and the 2-0 scoreline really flattered them. Lincoln should have scored at least five or six that day.
“Both games ended in draws last season and I’m going with that again. 1-1.”
It is always welcome to have a fellow writer on the previews and Jamie is one that definitely knows his stuff.
My lineup
Our strongest squads will be needed for these games and I have heard some very positive news coming through.
Joel Pereira is our hope and saviour and is definitely one of those up for player of the season. He will be busy so he needs to have a good game.
The defence will have to be our strongest. At the minute I think that is Andy Yiadom, Tyler Bindon, Amadou Mbengue and Kelvin Abrefa. It feels a little bit harsh on Andre Garcia but both Yiadom and Abrefa are our best options at the minute.
The midfield will continue for the moment to be Charlie Savage, Lewis Wing and Harvey Knibbs. However, Ben Elliott may appear on the bench within the next few games as he is back in contact training.
When this happened to Yiadom he featured on the bench as soon as this news was released. We can hope to see him again soon and hope he brings that attacking flair we have missed since he got injured.
The attack is another area that I think will stay unchanged. Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, Jayden Wareham and Chem Campbell have been on form and, although they all had a slow game against Northampton, I think one of them will be on the scoresheet against the Imps.
Score prediction: 2-1 Royals!
As said before, a win would put us one step closer to securing playoffs and I think we can get that.
Come on you Royals!