Stevenage vs Reading: 2025/26 Match Preview
Can the Royals build on a vital midweek win that pushed them into the playoffs?
Stevenage boss Alex Revell / | Getty Images A great result against Burton Albion has put Reading into the playoffs for the first time this year! Kamari Doyle’s banger cancelled out George Evans’ wonder goal and then Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan got the winner in the 88th minute, sending Reading into the top six. The performance itself was actually a poor one.
Comparing it to games we have lost this season, we probably didn’t deserve to win this one. But now comes the most important match of the season. A win for either side, for me, decides who gets into the playoffs.
Stevenage lost 1-0 to Plymouth Argyle in midweek, meaning the race for the playoff places goes down to 10th spot, with the gap between 10th (Plymouth) and fifth (Stockport County) being only three points. Everything is tight and the Royals need a win in this one to solidify that they are in the fight to go up. The head-to-head between the sides is in Reading’s favour, with the Royals winning five, drawing three and losing two in.
The last encounter was a 1-0 win, with Charlie Savage getting the goal in the fourth minute and nothing else really happening. In this preview I will give predictions for the next five fixtures, which will be crucial in the playoff fight, and I will give my predictions for this game. What?