Recently promoted Stevenage face relegated Reading this weekend, in a contest where both teams will be confident that they can claim all three points. The Royals hosted the last meeting between the two sides and the visitors came out on top with a 2-1 victory.
Reading
The Royals will be disappointed with their start to the season and it seems that last season’s poor form has unfortunately continued into the new campaign. Manager, Ruben Selles, joined Reading this summer after leading Southampton in the Premier League. However, the Spaniard lost every pre-season match and was also defeated in the opening two games of the league, both ending 1-0. Randomly sandwiched in between those two losses was a shock 4-0 win over Millwall in the EFL Cup, which provided a glimpse of promise.
Finally this week, Selles led his side to their first three points of the season, overcoming Cheltenham Town with a common result of 1-0. Reading’s biggest achillis heel at the moment is their lack of goalscoring threat and even though they did win 1-0, it was an own goal which gave them the advantage. Defensively, the Royals are quite good but the focus in training this week must be on chance creation, otherwise they’ll struggle against Stevenage. Although the off the field issues at Reading may hinder the new manager’s progress.
Stevenage
Since being promoted, the Boro have been unstoppable and the step up to League One is a challenge that the entire squad is relishing. Stevenage currently sit in third place with nine points, five goals scored and only one conceded, add the progression in the EFL Cup against Watford to the list also and Steve Evans couldn’t have dreamed for a better start to the season. Their most recent game was away to Cambridge United, where they won 2-1. Jordan Roberts gave the Boro the lead in the first half, which they maintained until the 80th minute when Cambridge equalised. However, two minutes later, substitute Jamie Reid restored the lead and claimed the victory for his side.
This ability to bounce back instantly in the face of adversity highlights the character within the squad, which will be needed throughout the season. Stevenage know how to score and they are also comfortable with their defensive system which has played a key role in their fast start. If they can stay tight at the back, they have a very good chance of continuing their 100% win record.
Verdict?
Reading are struggling both on the field and off it, with morale lacking which is a complete contrast to life in the Stevenage camp. Reading’s inability to cause a huge attacking threat may cost them on Saturday but I cannot see the 1-0 trend continuing.
The final prediction is Reading 1-2 Stevenage.
