Reading vs Peterborough United: Match Preview
Can the Royals get a win on their return to action after the international break?
The Royals are back together after the international break, ready for the next challenge that’s coming their way - of which there are many. But the first one is the Peterborough United game. With all the trouble that Reading FC are in at the minute, a win in this game would brighten the mood of the fans a little bit.
Peterborough were unable to postpone their match for the international break, meaning they’ve played more recently than the Royals. A huge win against Charlton Athletic has propelled them to 15th place, nine points clear of the relegation zone.
In this preview I want to sum up what is happening with Reading FC, speak upon the Peterborough vs Charlton game and give my predictions.
What? League One matchday 38
Season? 2024/25
Who? Peterborough United
Where? Select Car Leasing Stadium
When? Saturday March 29
Time? 15:00
Opposition manager? Darren Ferguson
What is going on at Reading FC?
It was released to the public last week that Reading FC could be a few weeks away from disqualification from the EFL altogether. For a change, multiple statements have been released since I last spoke on the matter. Both Rob Couhig and Robert Platek have been inclined to help the club and are both still involved in attempting a takeover.
There have been many articles expressing hope that Platek will complete his takeover of the club before the new deadline of April 4. This deadline may be extended if Reading are able to provide enough evidence of progress on the takeover being made.
But I’m not here to re-write what’s already been written. I’m here to explain. So, let’s take a step back.
About a week ago it was announced that the EFL had disqualified Dai Yongge and are forcing him to sell the club. This has to be done by April 5, but if the club can provide sufficient evidence of near-completion, then this date can be extended further.
However, if the club cannot, then it could well be disqualified from the EFL. Similar to what happened to Bury, Reading would be sent down to step six, maybe step seven, and would have to start again. One of the oldest clubs in England, sent back right to the start.
If they were to be dropped into the lowest division of step seven it would take Reading a minimum of seven years to get back up to League One, let alone thinking about promotion this year. So, for the sake of the club… this takeover needs to happen in the next two weeks - or to significantly proceed.
Like you I let this football club take over my life. It is my life and writing about this club has become my life. I don’t want that to end. But all we can do now is hope.
Peterborough vs Charlton
An outlier in terms of recent results. Charlton have been on the form of their lives recently, taking five wins out of six games to propel them up to fourth place, giving them a real chance of reaching automatic promotion, but one hand is already on the playoffs.
But then they go and lose 3-0 to relegation-battling Posh. It’s an anomaly. So what was it that motivated Peterborough to step it up?
Well, their form hasn’t been bad either. Having not lost in five, beating Charlton and drawing to Wycombe Wanderers were the highlights of this run. So, let’s take a closer look.
Stats show that it was a day out for the ‘keepers, especially Jed Steer, but having a deeper dive, it wasn’t all that. Six saves in a man-of-the-match performance meant he really kept them in the game, but I want to have a look at how Peterborough exploited Charlton and work out what Reading need to stop from happening.
The first goal was caused by a mistake. A bad back-pass caused an indirect free-kick and a cross into the box was met by a header sent into the bottom-right corner. Nothing to unpick about that as long as Reading don’t make the same mistake.
The second goal was caused by a quick counter-attack, finished by the pacey Abraham Odoh. Peterborough have some very quick wide players in him and Kwame Poku.
This goal signifies a real danger, especially on a counter-attack. Reading have a tendency to concede goals late on in the first half: between the 39th and the 43rd minute is when most teams’ goals are scored against the Royals. Just one lapse of judgement is all it would take for Posh to pounce.
The final goal was an intercepted pass that 10 seconds later resulted in a goal. Sloppy play from Charlton in the latter stages meant Posh were able to break through extremely easily.
All of these goals are stoppable if the players keep their concentration. I thought there would be more to this but apparently not. Three laps in judgement caused these goals. As long as that doesn’t happen, the Royals should be okay.
My lineup
Joel Pereira will be the man in goal. The guy is a beast and, given the amount of shots taken in the match I analysed, he may be in for a busy day.
The defence is going to be similar to the last game against Stevenage, with Kelvin Abrefa, Tyler Bindon and Andre Garcia all starting. But I think Michael Stickland will make a return. The youngster will return from suspension in this one and in my opinion he is the best we have at the moment, with Amadou Mbengue still out injured.
The midfield will stay the same in Lewis Wing, Charlie Savage and Harvey Knibbs. But I am hoping that very soon we can see both Ben Elliott and Tom Carroll in action.
The attack is still up for grabs. My only certainty is Jayden Wareham. For me with a bit more training he really does have the potential to be better than Sam Smith. He just needs the right attack alongside him. For this match I suggest Billy Bodin and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan. Pace on the wing will help combat what Peterborough have and Ehibhatiomhan’s quick feet can really do some damage.
Score prediction: 2-1 Royals!
Good luck to those going to the game.
Come on you Royals!