Stevenage vs Reading - prediction, team news, lineups

By Matthew Cooper | 23 Aug 2026 16:14, Last updated: 23 Aug 2026 16:16

Stevenage volition beryllium looking to prime up an important triumph erstwhile they invited Reading to Broadhall Way successful the EFL Cup connected Tuesday evening.

The hosts bushed Wycombe Wanderers successful the archetypal circular of the tournament, portion the visitors bushed Bromley connected penalties.

Match preview

Stevenage reached the League One playoffs past season, but person made a mediocre commencement to the caller campaign.

In their archetypal 2 league matches, Stevenage person drawn 1-1 with Burton Albion and suffered a 2-1 decision to Oxford United.

Alex Revell's broadside needed a stoppage-time extremity from Olly Sanderson to rescue a constituent against Burton, portion Jamie Reid could lone container a consolation extremity successful the 98th infinitesimal against Oxford.

Reflecting connected the decision to Oxford, Revell admitted his side's "performance became a spot desperate" and helium volition beryllium looking for improvements against Reading.

It is worthy noting that Stevenage person lone beaten Reading erstwhile successful their past six meetings, though that was a 1-0 triumph backmost successful March.

Reading person besides made a disappointing commencement to the caller season, having been eyeing a promotion bid aft signing the likes of Kyreece Lisbie, Udoka Godwin-Malife, Jacob Brown and George Earthy.

The Royals suffered a melodramatic 4-3 decision to Luton Town successful their opening League One match, with Gideon Kodua scoring a 96th infinitesimal victor aft Jack Marriott bagged a first-half hat-trick for Reading.

That was followed by a 0-0 gully against Wimbledon, wherever Leam Richardson's broadside failed to people contempt dominating possession and having 12 shots.

Richardson was "disappointed not to win", but admitted Reading "have to people erstwhile we’re connected top" and that the "final walk fto america down a bit".

Stevenage signifier (all competitions):

Reading signifier (all competitions):

Team News

Stevenage could manus caller signing Michael Mellon a debut, with the striker apt to spouse Josh Magennis up front.

Jordan Houghton is apt to regenerate Jasper Pattenden aft helium picked up an wounded against Oxford, portion Phoenix Patterson and Terry Taylor could regenerate Saxon Earley and Louis Thompson.

Reading could springiness a archetypal commencement to caller signing George Earthy successful the No.10 role, with Randell Williams and Paddy Lane successful enactment for starts retired wide.

Jacob Brown could regenerate Jack Marriott up front, with Liam Fraser and Charlie Savage successful enactment for starts successful midfield. 

Stevenage imaginable starting lineup:

Marschall; Vancooten, Piergianni, Freestone; Houghton, Taylor, Phillips, Patterson; Kemp; Mellon, Magennis

Reading imaginable starting lineup:

Pereira; Godwin-Malife, O'Connor, Ward, Roberts, Dorsett; Fraser, Savage; Williams, Earthy, Lane; Brown

We say: Stevenage 0-1 Reading

Both teams are successful request of a triumph and Reading's awesome grounds against Stevenage means we are backing them to prime up the victory.

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