When : Saturday January 31, 2026, 2pm
Where : Sixfields, Upton Way, Northampton, NN5 5QA
Capacity : 7,798
And now we have a 2pm kick off on a Saturday ostensibly because people in Northampton care more about odd shaped balls (& eggs) than they do about proper football. Yes, because Northampton Saints are playing Leicester about a 20 minute walk to the east of Sixfields we all have to have an earlier kick off time - and not a SKY camera in sight to make up for it. Oh well at least it means finishing and getting away in time for a decent return time in Berkshire, and if Reading could wangle a win out of it, who cares anyway?
After the utter disappointment of the last 2 home games, Reading hit the road and take the 18th best away record in the division with them for what is going to be the first of 3 successive away games. The good news here is that the current average league position of the 3 clubs to be played is 19th and their average position in the divisional home league table is 20th! But as we know Reading have been in this sort of position before and are not immune to bouts of charitable donation so it’s going to have to be heads down and concentrate to try at last to come up with a working team selection that consistently creates opportunities and can take games to opponents.
The lucky three teams to be visited are Northampton, Wimbledon and then Wigan, three teams that have managed just 2 wins in the last 15 league games that they’ve played so prime “watch out - or else” territory. First up is the seasonal trip to Northampton who are on a dreadful run of 2 points from the last 21 available. Their last win was 3-1 at home to Wimbledon on 19th December so, of course, the pressure on Reading not to become the Cobbler’s first league victims of the new year really ramps things up - so best not mention it to anyone at the club.
For the third time in 4 games Reading face a team with 2 former Reading players raring to go. First Tyrese Fornah may well be back after an abductor muscle injury, secondly Nesta Guinness-Walker will be anxious to prove that the force is strong with this one.
In addition to the former player threat is on loan highly rated Leicester City forward Jake Evans, leading scorer Tom Eaves and dangerous midfielders Sam Hoskins and Cameron McGeehan. Finally, helping hold their defence together is Max Dyche, son of Sean, and recent signing from ^xf^rd Elliott Moore.
Reading will probably have a doubt over Daniel Kyerewaa after he hobbled out of the Exeter game but then he's not really contributed as well from the right as he did when he was on the left earlier in the season so hopefully a chance for someone else to really step up on that side. Benn Wright should be registered by the time Saturday comes round and hopefully "with it"after a few training sessions. Both Williams will continue to miss out though there could be a chance that one might be ready for the visit to Wimbledon next week. The transfer window doesn't close until Monday but would suggest Reading are unlikely to add to their squad any further though they are at serious risk of losing Savage and Garcia before the deadline hour.
Referee
Jamie “no relation” O’Connor
Previously
16 Aug 25 Reading 1-2 Wimbledon
Historically
There have been 92 previous league meetings between the two clubs so this will be the 47th trek over to their place but just the 6th league visit to Sixfields. It's not been too bad a venue as Reading have won 2 and lost 2 of the 5 previous league visits to this part of Northampton.
The remaining 41 trips were to the famous old three sided behemoth of the local cricket pitch (which is just to the north east of the town centre if anyone wants to check it out for old time’s sake). Those 41 visits resulted in 14 wins, 10 draws and 17 defeats so overall Northampton have been one of the more welcoming sides for Reading, however Northampton do seem to be an opponent that can score goals for fun against Reading, having racked up several 5 goal stuffings down the years.
Last season saw a drab disappointing affair that ended scoreless.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket and travel
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use a RoyalsTV subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
