EFL Trophy | Group Stage——Cheltenham Town vs. Reading - prediction, team news, lineups

 

League Two side Cheltenham Town are set to host League One team Reading on Tuesday at Whaddon Road in each club's second EFL Trophy match of the 2024-25 season.

 

The home team are second with three points in the four-team group after they beat Newport County 2-1 on September 3, while the visitors are first with three points after they emerged as 3-1 victors against West Ham United Academy on August 20.

 

Cheltenham were trailing 1-0 after 33 minutes against Newport County, but the Robins took full advantage when Jacob Carney was sent off in the 43rd minute and eventually won 2-1 thanks to two second-half goals from Harrison Sohna and Joel Colwill.

 

In their most recent match, the hosts lost 2-1 against Barrow on Saturday, a match in which the Robins created no big chances and had just 36% possession.

 

Manager Michael Flynn said in the aftermath of his side's defeat that he felt his team played excellently in the first half but ultimately ceded too much positional territory and conceded two poor goals.

 

The result leaves Flynn's side 20th in the 24-team league with 10 points after 10 matches, and they have now conceded 16 goals, the joint fifth most goals per game.

 

Cheltenham have lost seven of their last 11 games in all competitions, though they have won four of their six most recent competitive home matches.

 

The visitors come into the clash having thoroughly beaten West Ham United Academy in their first EFL Trophy match of the season, and they only conceded because of an own goal from Harlee Dean in the 38th minute.

 

Reading had 57% possession, produced 20 shots and only faced five shots themselves, and boss Ruben Selles was thrilled with the performance of his youthful side on the night.

 

Selles will be less pleased with his team's showing in League One this term given they are 16th in the table with 13 points from nine matches, though they do have a game in hand on eight of the clubs above them and are only three points from sixth-placed Stockport County.

 

The Royals lost 2-1 last time out on Saturday against Rotherham United, though they did have to play with 10 men after Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan was sent off in the 68th minute when they were trailing 2-1.

 

Reading have won two of their last three games, but they did lose two of the prior three matches.

 

The visitors have also been poor away from home this season, losing their last four fixtures on the road and drawing the previous match 1-1 against Birmingham City on August 10.

READING v SHEFFIELD UNITED! FREE #TIPSONTHEDAY CHAMPIONSHIP ENGLAND

 

 

Reading Team Analysis

Reading are 15th in the England Championship League with 44 points. Reading have conceded 1+ goals in all of their last 12 England Championship games.

 

Sheffield United Team Analysis

Sheffield United are 2nd in the England Championship League with 64 points. Sheffield United have succeeded in winning their last 6 away games against Reading in the England Championship League.

 

Odd Analysis

In their last 26 head to head meetings in all competitions, Reading have managed to win 11 of the matches, Sheffield United have managed to win 11 of the matches and their has been 4 draws between the two teams. In the England Championship League, Sheffield United has a better performance compared to Reading.

 

Conclusion

Sheffield United win

English Championship - West Brom v Reading

 

 

Analysis:

A huge chance for West Brom to win and catch up with the top half of the league table if they can beat Reading today.

 

West Brom –  West Brom is in 10th position in the league, the host has a season record so far with 9W-8D-8L. West Brom has a goal difference of 7 with 33 goals scored and 26 goals conceded.

 

They won 7 of the last 8 league matches and not lost, they also kept 4 clean sheets in their last 6 matches as well. They are in good solid form. They could make it 3 straight home win today if they beat Reading.

 

Reading - is also in good form, they are in 9th position in the league, and the away side has a season record so far with 11W-3D-11L. Reading has a goal difference of -6 with 29 goals scored and 35 goals conceded. In the last match they held a draw at Norwich and ended at 1-1, their away form is also quite stable.

 

Reading has taken 10 points from the last 15 available since the restart and could climb to 3rd place with a win here but it is not

 

Odds Analysis

 

The bookies opened on Asian Handicap at -0.75, pretty confident on West Brom and it is in line with most punters/analyst predictions.

 

Head to Head

 

Reading did not win against West Brom in their last 4 meetings.

 

Verdict:

 

Home Win

England Championship - Reading vs Sunderland A.F.C Preview

 

 

Analysis:

Madejski Stadium will witness a game between Reading and Sunderland on Thursday.

 

Reading

Reading's competitiveness at home is demonstrated by the fact that they have won all four of their Championship home games thus far, with 2 scoring goals and 0.5 conceding goals on average.

 

Sunderland A.F.C

After two games under Mowbray, Sunderland hasn't changed much in terms of their system or approach. They won 3-0 against a depleted Rotherham team before losing 1-0 at Middlesbrough.

 

Verdict:

Reading take the upper hand over Sunderland in the past head to head games with 5W-1D-4L. Besides, Reading have the home advantage. It is predicted that Reading are going to win.

 

Pick: 1