Preview: Swindon Town vs Reading – prediction, team news, lineups KIK BALL

The Nigel Eady County Ground is set to host a cross-division clash in the EFL Trophy‘s Southern Group D on Tuesday, when Swindon Town welcome Reading.

The Robins are looking to build on their win last time out, while the Royals are hoping to extend their unbeaten run this week.

Match preview

Ian Holloway‘s Swindon fell short of making the League Two playoffs in 2024-25, but they have made a strong start this time around, and given that they have won three of their four matches prior to this game, it would be fair to say that they are in good form.

On Saturday, the Robins earned another three points in a commanding 3-0 win on the road to Crewe Alexandra, who are one of their main rivals for promotion.

That victory brought Holloway’s side up to fifth in the table, where their tally of 12 has them level with third-placed Bromley, who occupy one of the division’s automatic promotion spots.

However, despite their success to date, fans of the hosts would be forgiven for being concerned due to the club’s lacklustre record on their own turf that features two wins, one draw and two defeats from their five most recent games at the Nigel Eady County Ground.

A cup run could help to boost belief within the Swindon ranks, and they will be targeting going further than the round of 16 after they were knocked out at that stage by eventual finalists Birmingham City last season.

Meanwhile, Noel Hunt‘s Reading also narrowly missed out on the playoffs, but unlike their opponents, they have endured a tough opening to this campaign.

The Royals began 2025-26 with back-to-back defeats and failed to win any of their first five League One matches, losing three and winning two.

However, Hunt’s men followed up their 2-1 EFL Cup victory over AFC Wimbledon by taking maximum points in the third tier for the first time this season with a 1-0 triumph over Port Vale on Saturday.

As they aim to secure their third consecutive win, the visitors will be quietly confident about their chances given that they have lost just twice away from home since January.

In 2024-25, Reading reached the EFL Trophy’s round of 32 only to be eliminated on penalties by Walsall, and aided by a desire to go further this season, victory could give the club a major psychological boost for the promotion push ahead.  

Swindon Town form (all competitions):

Reading form (all competitions):

Team News

Swindon goalkeeper Connor Ripley should be protected between the sticks by centre-backs Will Wright and Filozofe Mabete, while Joel McGregor and Tom Wilson-Brown start at full-back.

Further forward, Princewill Ehibhatiomhan will be ready to feature on the left wing, making up a three-man offensive line alongside Harry Smith and Billy Bodin.

As for Reading, they will be without midfielder Tivonge Rushesha as he works his way back from an injury that he picked up against Wimbledon on August 26, and Ben Elliott should take his place.

Elsewhere, Jeremiah Okine-Peters could start at centre-forward on Tuesday, with Paddy Lane and Andre Garcia offering width from the wings.

Swindon Town possible starting lineup:

Ripley; McGregor, Wright, Mabete, Wilson-Brown; Kilkenny, Ball, Glatzel; Bodin, Smith, Ehibhatiomhan

Reading possible starting lineup:

Stevens; Abrefa, Stickland, Dorsett, Ryan; Rushesha, Fraser, Doyle; Lane, Okine-Peters, Garcia

We say: Swindon Town 1-2 Reading

Swindon have been mixed on their own turf, and it remains to seen how they will handle higher-tier opposition this week.

Reading may have started the season poorly, but they have picked up again, and they should be able to hold onto a lead given that their resilience on the road is well-documented. 

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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