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Burton Albion
League One | Gameweek 45
Apr 20, 2024 at 3pm UK
Pirelli Stadium
Reading logo

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

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League One clash between Burton Albion and Reading, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

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

Reading manager Ruben Selles reacts on January 23, 2024© Reuters

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


SM words green background

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.




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Game History

How you voted: Burton Albion vs Reading

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Draw
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Reading
77.8%
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
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2Birmingham CityBirmingham1393124121230
3Wrexham1584322111128
4Stockport CountyStockport167632617927
5Barnsley157532419526
6Lincoln CityLincoln157532117426
7Mansfield TownMansfield137332015524
8Huddersfield TownHuddersfield147252114723
9Exeter CityExeter147251410423
10Reading147252221123
11Bolton WanderersBolton147252224-223
12Peterborough UnitedPeterborough156363127421
13Charlton AthleticCharlton145451515019
14Bristol Rovers155371621-518
15Stevenage155371116-518
16Northampton TownNorthampton154561821-317
17Rotherham UnitedRotherham154561418-417
18Blackpool154562128-717
19Wigan AthleticWigan143561212014
20Leyton Orient144281418-414
21Crawley TownCrawley163491427-1313
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge143291324-1111
23Burton Albion141581525-108
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury1522111327-148


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