Reading vs Barnsley: Match Preview
Here we are, the big game...
Well, here we are. Potentially the final game of the season that could define our fate in the Football League all together.
Reading face Barnsley but will keep one eye on Huddersfield Town vs Leyton Orient. Barnsley have only won one of their last five, having most recently lost to bottom of the table Shrewsbury Town, and due to their recent injuries I’m not expecting them to do much in this game.
Huddersfield have lost seven of their last eight games and are looking very unlikely to do anything, but we can hope.
In this preview I will mention all the possibilities that would mean Reading end up in the playoffs, talk about the matches that could await them, do one final ‘players who have played for both’, give a big thank you, and of course I will do my predictions.
What? League One matchday 46
Season? 2024/25
Who? Barnsley
Where? Select Car Leasing Stadium
When? Saturday May 3
Time? 15:00
Opposition manager? Conor Hourihane
Reading in the playoffs
There are a few things that could happen for Reading to end up in the playoffs.
Number one, and the most unlikely, is that Reading win at least 10-0 against Barnsley and Leyton Orient only win by one goal at Huddersfield. This would swing the goal difference +1 in Reading’s favour and, even though we’d be on the same points as Orient, it would mean Reading get sixth place.
Number two is that Reading win and Orient draw with Huddersfield. This would put Reading on 78 points and Leyton Orient on 76.
Number three is that Reading draw and Leyton Orient lose. This would put Reading on 76 and leave Leyton Orient on 75.
Lastly, and also very unlikely, if Reading lose by just one goal and Leyton Orient lose at least 10-0, it would mean Reading being +1 up on Leyton Orient and making the playoffs.
If any of these scenarios happen then Reading would face either Charlton Athletic, Stockport County or Wycombe Wanderers.
Stockport face Wycombe on the final day so it is likely that one of them will be our opponents.
I would rather face Wycombe than Stockport as Stockport have done the double over Reading - the first team to do so this season. Wycombe haven’t looked great over the past few games so I would expect Stockport to be the team who finish third, which would be an amazing season for them considering they were also promoted last season.
Players who have played for both
16 players have played for both teams. I mentioned four last time so here are another four.
Jamie Cureton managed 108 games at Reading, netting 50 goals and adding two assists. He had eight games at Barnsley in 2008/09, on loan from Norwich City, with two goals and one assist.
Vito Mannone was a very underrated goalkeeper for most clubs he has represented. Spending three seasons with the Royals, he had a save percentage of 71% in the 47 games he played across 2017/18 and 2018/19.
Prior to Reading, Mannone played two games for Barnsley and had an 81.8% save percentage, conceding two goals.
Paul McShane played 102 games for Reading, scoring four and assisting one from centre-back. He played 10 games for Barnsley, managing just the one goal.
Finally, Brian Howard. Playing 59 times for the Royals between 2009 and 2011, he netted two goals and came up with 10 assists. Before joining Reading he played 121 games for Barnsley, where he racked up 27 goals and 15 assists.
A big thank you
I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in getting me this far and thank you for making my first season so successful. I already have a few ideas for next season and I am all for taking you guys’ advice as well.
Thank you to The Tilehurst End themselves for allowing me the opportunity to write this year.
All on to next season!
My predictions
This is a massive last game. Fight for the right to survive. The team need to show up just as much as a packed-out SCL do.
Joel Pereira, who was robbed of a place in the EFL’s team of the season, will start in goal.
Andre Garcia, Tyler Bindon, Amadou Mbengue and Tivonge Rushesha will be the defence as they have been solid this season so far.
The midfield is still going to be without Michael Craig and Ben Elliott so Charlie Savage, Lewis Wing and Harvey Knibbs will have to do it all over again!
Lastly the attack has been chopping and changing all season, and this is where I will make the only change. Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan hasn’t been up to scratch recently and I think Adrian Akande should be given a game to show what he can do alongside Jayden Wareham and Chem Campbell.
Score prediction: 3-1 Reading!
Score prediction: Huddersfield 2-2 Leyton Orient
We can all hope and that’s what I’m doing in this one!
For maybe the last time this season...
COME ON YOU ROYALS!