MATCHWATCH : Burton Albion (h)

[Jerry St Clair]

Judging by their home attendances, there's probably going to be a similar amount, maybe even more away fans than home fans.

Yes. Cheltenham had 400 there in a crowd of 3020. It’ll feel like a home game.

[Clyde1998]

Judging by their home attendances, there's probably going to be a similar amount, maybe even more away fans than home fans.

Burton have averaged 2,500 home fans this season (excluding the away followings) - so assuming it's roughly that again it will be near an even split with us taking 1,700. If they've sold more home tickets than usual, which is likely due to their current situation, it's very possible it will be their second highest attendance of the season (behind their game against Derby).

[Royal_jimmy]

When : Saturday April 20 2024, 3pm
Where : Pirelli Stadium, Princess Way, Burton upon Trent, DE13 0BH
Capacity 6,912

First of the pre-season friendlies next as super safe Reading travel to Derbyshire to take on the might of Burton Albion in a game that surely has to be better than the ultra dreary 0-0 earlier in the season.

Burton are still fighting to avoid the drop and anything other than a win in this game will more or less relegate them depending on results elsewhere, so expect a team right up for it and tearing into Reading from the off. After settling into a lower mid table position for much of the season, 2024 has brought Burton much trouble and the current run of 1 win in 12 has spiralled them into anxious looks at the botton four.

The issue in particular has been home form as the Brewers haven't managed a home point since doing Charlton 2-0 on 20th January, since then the record has been P8 W0 D0 L8 F3 A17 - so the sort of thing that usually attracts a visit from AFC Charity then!

The top scorer for Burton has notched 5 goals so far but there's 3 players on that figure; Beryly Lubala, Joe Powell and Mark Helm - a number of other goals have been scored by defenders so giving away set pieces probably isn't such a good idea. However they do struggle to score (35 so far), with only Shrewsbury having scored fewer (33) and the same number as Carlisle so if Reading can get their defence marshalled properly there should be a decent chance of a 5th away win for the Royals.

Yiadom is a doubt with injury but pretty much the rest of the squad should be available. Given the fact that there is something riding on the game for the teams fighting against relegation I would be playing the strongest side possible and not experimenting with youngsters or formations etc.

Saturday's games for the bottom clubs in L1

Bolton v Port Vale
Burton v Reading
Cambridge v Derby
Carlisle v Wycombe
Charlton v Shrewsbury
Cheltenham v Lincoln
Orient v Fleetwood


Referee

Scott Oldham

Previously

03 Feb 24 > Oxford United 1-1 Reading
21 Oct 23 > Charlton Athletic 4-0 Reading
07 Apr 23 > Reading 1-1 Birmingham City

History

This is third trip to the Pirelli and so far Reading have managed to win on each of the previous visits scoring at least 3 on both occasions so there is something to live up to in this fixture.

How to follow the game

1. Ticket yourself, be brave and travel
2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
3. Ring/text a mate for updates
4. Use a RoyalTV subscription
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

Burton is actually in Staffordshire, not Derbyshire OP

[Royals and Racers]

2 changes- Dorsett and Ehib replace Mola and Mukairu.

[Snowflake Royal]

Really would like to see how Dorsett does at CB and some more of Carson, Senga, Camara etc before the season ends.

[Snowflake Royal]

Pitch looks dreadful.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Pitch looks dreadful.

Maybe it's intentional. Carlisle and Rovers both criticised their ground staff for making too good a pitch for us.

[higher]

grrr 1 down

[Snowflake Royal]

Oh dear. Fell kindly for them there

[WestYorksRoyal]

Soft as fcuk.

[Sutekh]

[Brogue]

Goal

[higher]

Not great 2 down 11 mins. Sort it out.

[Snowflake Royal]

Absolute mare from Pereira. Stupid clearance and it's 4 on 3. And goal.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Loads of time if we wake up. Get 1 and watch the nerves kick in.

[Sutekh]

Another Selles masterclass in getting your team psyched up for a game

[Brogue]

Loads of time if we wake up. Get 1 and watch the nerves kick in.

Agree, I reckon we will still win this

[Snowflake Royal]

Loads of time if we wake up. Get 1 and watch the nerves kick in.

Agree, I reckon we will still win this

We're just playing route 1. If we get one before they get a third we might lift our game, but we look pretty terrible.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Should be 3-0, good save. This is so so poor.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Loads of time if we wake up. Get 1 and watch the nerves kick in.

Agree, I reckon we will still win this

We're just playing route 1. If we get one before they get a third we might lift our game, but we look pretty terrible.

Terrible pitch to try and move through the thirds on. I think they've done it on purpose; fair play, we haven't responded.