Reading are set to take on Newport County at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in a 2024-25 EFL Trophy clash on Tuesday, with the hosts hoping to bounce back from their last defeat in the competition.
Both teams are on three points in Group P, but the visitors will be looking to make it two wins in a row in the competition.
Match preview
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Having been relegated from the Championship to League One at the end of the 2022-23 season, Reading failed to mount a direct promotion challenge last season, finishing in 17th place, a whopping 23 points behind the top six.
The Royals have another opportunity this season and are currently ninth in the table after 14 matches, one point behind the top six, although they have now failed to win their last two league games.
Ruben Selles's side are also without a win in their last two matches across all competitions, including a 1-0 defeat against Cheltenham in the EFL Trophy, while they have won just one of their last four competitive matches, a 2-0 victory over Fleetwood in the FA Cup first round.
A 3-1 win over West Ham United U-21 in their opening match of the EFL Trophy has helped Reading occupy second place in Group P, giving them a superior goal difference over third-placed Newport, who are their next opponents.
Both teams have met only once previously, with the Royals securing a 3-1 home win in a League Cup tie, a result Selles will hope his side can replicate on Tuesday.
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Newport finished 18th in League Two last season, which led to Graham Coughlan's departure by mutual consent and the appointment of Nelson Jardim as the new head coach.
Jardim's side have not had the best start to the season, as they are currently 15th in the league table with 19 points after 15 matches, and they are without a win in their last three matches across all competitions.
The Exiles have also won just one of their last seven matches across all competitions, losing five, including the most recent two, leaving Jardim with a lot of questions to answer.
Newport also started poorly in the EFL Trophy with a 2-1 home defeat to Cheltenham, but they bounced back with a 1-0 away win over West Ham U-21, and will need to dig deep to build on the victory.
However, a run of five losses and one win in their last six games on the road leaves little confidence in the Exiles' ability to secure maximum points.
Team News
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Andy Yiadom has not played competitively for Reading since April, and the right-back is expected to remain sidelined for Tuesday's clash.
The Royals' top scorer, Sam Smith, has missed the club's last three games, leaving Harvey Knibbs with an opportunity to lead the line once again after finding the net in Saturday's draw with Stevenage in League Two.
Newport right-back Shane McLoughlin has returned from a knee injury that he picked up in September and he could earn his first start since returning from injury.
Kyle Hudlin found the net in the defeat to Tranmere last Saturday and he is expected to lead the line once again, while Aaron Wildig, who has scored four league goals for the Exiles this season, should also start in midfield.
Reading possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Craig, Mbengue, Bindon, Garcia; Elliot, Wing, Savage; Camara, Knibbs, Campbell
Newport County possible starting lineup:
Townsend; Evans, Jameson, Brennan, Baker; Milley, Morris; Spellman Wildig, Kamwa; Hudlin
We say: Reading 2-0 Newport County
Reading's struggles this season have come on the road, with the Royals winning all but one of their nine home matches across all competitions so far, and this kind of home form will likely prove too much for struggling Newport to handle, which is why we are predicting a home win.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
