SM
Everton vs. Liverpool: 13 hrs 53 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
BA
League One | Gameweek 45
Apr 20, 2024 at 3pm UK
Pirelli Stadium
RL

Burton Albion
3 - 2
Reading

Bennett (5'), Carayol (11'), Kamwa (42')
Bennett (75'), Ola-Adebomi (90+7')
FT(HT: 3-1)
Wing (34'), Smith (59' pen.)

Preview: Burton Albion vs. Reading - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Burton Albion vs. Reading - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Saturday's League One clash between Burton Albion and Reading, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Relegation-threatened Burton Albion host 17th-placed Reading at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday afternoon in League One.

The hosts are just two points above 21st-placed Cheltenham Town, who hold a game in hand over those around them, leaving the final two games of the season crucial to their survival hopes.


Match preview

Aside from a brief stay in the middle of the table, Burton Albion have largely found themselves in and around the relegation zone throughout this season.

They currently sit just two points above the relegation zone, with Cheltenham boasting a game in hand that could result in Burton's relegation depending on the results, although Cheltenham's matches are tough ones as they face three teams within the top nine.

With that, Burton are in a strong position to secure their safety in the division for a seventh consecutive season as they have two more favourable fixtures against 17th-placed Reading and 23rd-placed Fleetwood Town, in what could become a relegation-deciding game between the two.

A win over Stevenage last Saturday, their first in nearly two months, was vital for Martin Paterson's side as it pulled them out of the drop zone.

They will now be hoping they can move one step closer to safety with a win in this game against a Reading side who have nothing to play for after already securing their place in League One for next season.

As for the visitors, having been relegated from the Championship last year it looked as though they were on course for back-to-back demotions after a poor start that saw them sit on seven points from their opening 16 fixtures.

However, an upturn in form through December and onwards saw Reading climb out of the drop zone before securing their safety with a 2-2 draw against Barnsley last weekend.

That achievement is not one to turn a nose up at, with Reading being handed a deduction of six points in total throughout the season and having to deal with the constant ongoing crisis at the club.

While safety leaves Ruben Selles's men with nothing to compete for in the remaining two games of this season, he will still want to come out with victory in their final two outings to continue the recent improved form ahead of a fresh start next campaign.

There will be other eyes on this contest too, with the result potentially seeing Fleetwood and Port Vale's relegations confirmed; any point for Burton would spell the end for Fleetwood, while Port Vale would also be relegated if Burton better their result.

Burton Albion League One form:

Reading League One form:


Team News

The hosts come into this game with up to three players unavailable due to injury.

Mason Bennett and John Brayford were both forced off in Burton's 2-1 victory over Stevenage last Saturday and were absent from their midweek encounter with Cheltenham, leaving them unlikely to return for this one.

Defender Thomas Hamer was also taken off with an injury during the midweek fixture, leaving him as a doubt for this match.

As for Reading, they come into the game with just a single player set to be unavailable for selection.

Goalkeeper Joel Pereira, who had started the previous seven matches for his side, was replaced by David Button at half time against Barnsley due to injury, leaving Button likely to remain in goal for this one.


Burton Albion possible starting lineup:
Crocombe; Moon, Nsiala, Hughes, Sweeney, Seddon; Oshilaja, Harper, Powell; Hugill, Helm

Reading possible starting lineup:
Button; Abrefa, Mbengue, Bindon, Mola; Wing; Azeez, Elliott, Knibbs, Mukairu; Smith


We say: Burton Albion 1-1 Reading

While the home side have struggled in this fixture recently, winning just one of the last six meetings between the two, with Reading's safety already guaranteed and Burton's potential safety on the line, we believe Burton will use the extra motivation to pick up a needed point.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__541606 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-04-18 19:51:50:
html db last update - 2024-04-18 13:48:15 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Saturday's League One predictions including Bolton Wanderers vs. Portsmouth
Havertz haunts Chelsea as five-star Arsenal extend lead at PL summit
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CPortsmouth452713576413594
2Derby CountyDerby452781076373989
3Bolton WanderersBolton452511983483586
4Peterborough UnitedPeterborough452581286582883
5Barnsley4521121281631875
6Lincoln CityLincoln4520141165382774
7Oxford UnitedOxford Utd4521111377552274
8Blackpool4521101463451873
9Stevenage4518141355451068
10Wycombe WanderersWycombe451614155955462
11Leyton Orient451711175054-462
12Exeter CityExeter451710184559-1461
13Wigan AthleticWigan451910166156559
14Northampton TownNorthampton45178205665-959
15Bristol Rovers45169205266-1457
16Charlton AthleticCharlton451120146464053
17Reading451511196568-350
18Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury45139233464-3048
19Cambridge UnitedCambridge451211223961-2247
20Burton Albion451210233964-2546
21Cheltenham TownCheltenham45128254063-2344
RFleetwood TownFleetwood45913234672-2640
RPort Vale451010254174-3340
RCarlisle UnitedCarlisle4579294179-3830
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Arsenal 'to rival Man City, Man Utd for Premier League midfielder'

1

A'

Domhnall Gleeson, Sabrina Impacciatore join cast for The Office reboot

2

DG

Netflix doubles expectations with 9.3 million new subscribers

3

ND

This weekend's permutations: Who can be crowned champions, win promotion or suffer relegation?

4

TW

Preview: Man Utd vs. Sheff Utd - prediction, team news, lineups

5

PM

Barcelona 'lining up shock move for Chelsea midfielder'

6

B'

Havertz haunts Chelsea as five-star Arsenal extend lead at PL summit

7

HH

Man Utd, Arsenal dealt blow in pursuit of Lautaro Martinez

8

MU

Feyenoord chief responds to Arne Slot links with Liverpool job

9

FC

MasterChef 2024 contestants: Heat seven - Charlotte in profile

10

M2


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .