Burton Albion vs Reading: Match Preview 2023/24

Reading make their final away trip of the season today, with relegation-threatened Burton Albion their opponents.

The Royals have already secured their safety and will be playing in League One again next season, but today is still an important match, with their opponents still battling the drop at this stage.

Burton’s loss in midweek has ramped up the pressure on them ahead of this game - and it could be an extremely fascinating tie.

Ahead of the game, we have a short preview for you

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What? League One Matchday 45

Season? 2023/24

Who? Burton Albion

Where? Pirelli Stadium

When? Saturday 20th April

Time? 3pm

Opposition Manager? Martin Paterson

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The Royals

With the two and three-point deductions unlikely to be triggered before the end of the campaign, it looks as though the Royals have secured safety.

This is a good achievement - and I hope we’ve already hit rock bottom.

From now on, I hope things are looking up. If this takeover is ratified, that is a huge positive and although there could still be tricky times under new owners, financial stability should hopefully mean that we enjoy better times.

Talk of promotion next season is slightly premature for me, especially with the club still under transfer restrictions, but we would be able to start looking to the future if a sale can be completed.

I really hope we can enter a more positive era.

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The Opponents

I don’t really have anything against Burton Albion. They didn’t cause trouble during the tennis ball protest in the reverse fixture and haven’t caused us any grief on social media.

But if I remember rightly, their manager Martin Paterson scored against us in the 2008/09 play-off semi for Burnley and that goal killed us. As a young fan at the time, I was left heartbroken, so I wouldn’t mind it if we got one over him today!

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My Lineup

Starting XI: Pereira, Mola, Bindon, Mbengue, Abrefa, Wing, Knibbs, Elliott, Azeez, Camara, Smith

Joel Pereira has to start if he’s fit, with the same back four also being retained from the draw at Barnsley.

The same midfield three also remain in the first 11, but Camara comes in for Paul Mukairu, who should have scored on a couple of occasions last weekend.

Femi Azeez and Sam Smith keep their places in the starting 11, with the former switching over to the left.

In terms of the bench, I’d like to see some players who haven’t featured that much this season.

My subs: Boyce-Clarke, John Clarke, Stickland, Craig/Savage, Rushesha/Wellens, Ehibhatiomhan, Wareham

Score Prediction: Burton Albion 0-2 Reading

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Other League One Fixtures

Northampton Town vs Exeter City (2pm)

Blackpool vs Barnsley

Bolton Wanderers vs Port Vale

Bristol Rovers vs Peterborough United

Burton Albion vs Reading

Cambridge United vs Derby County

Carlisle United vs Wycombe Wanderers

Charlton Athletic vs Shrewsbury Town

Cheltenham Town vs Lincoln City

Leyton Orient vs Fleetwood Town

Portsmouth vs Wigan Athletic

All games get underway at 3pm unless stated