Burton Albion vs Reading: Match Preview

01/27/2025 12:42 PM

The Royals head to Staffordshire in search of a fourth win on the road this season.

Another disappointing game from the Royals caused fans to lose some hope in the playoff push on Saturday. Leyton Orient came out the better side on the day and now the Royals have to turn to the next game against Burton Albion.

Speaking of the Brewers, they've picked up some form recently with two wins on the bounce. Jon Dadi Bodvardsson, their latest signing, has lit up League One, most recently getting two goals in a 4-2 win against Rotherham United. The ex-Royal seems to have found his way again.

In this preview I will analyse Burton vs Rotherham, examine players who have played for both, take a quick look at players coming back, predict what the strongest 11 the Royals could play in the next few weeks is, and provide my predictions for the match.

What? League One matchday 27

Season? 2024/25

Who? Burton Albion

Where? Pirelli Stadium

When? Tuesday January 28

Time? 19:45

Opposition manager? Gary Bowyer

Burton vs Rotherham

The first half of the season seemed to be a struggle for Burton fans, seeing their team bottom of the league, losing to teams they really should be beating.

But since the New Year, two wins, two draws and a loss have taken them back up to 21st, six clear of safety and looking likelier to stay up. The best of this came at the weekend against Rotherham.

Conceding in the second minute wasn't the plan for Burton but they equalised six minutes later through their latest signing, Bodvarsson. Just after half-time they then found themselves 4-1 up, cruising through the game. They looked like a brand-new team.

A total of 15 shots, seven on target, creating an xG of 1.49 is incredible compared to how they had been recently. They were by far the better side in the first half and were defensively sound in the second, only allowing a consolation goal to Rotherham.

Burton have scored 10 goals in their last six matches but haven't kept a clean sheet in eight games.

Due to conceding so many shots, 'keeper Max Crocombe ranks third in saves per game but has conceded 42 goals, compared to the 27 they've scored. Just over a third of their goals scored have come in their last six matches.

Both Burton and Reading average around three goals per match so I expect both team to score.

Players to appear for both

Fun fact: there are only six players to have played for both Reading and Burton. Here they are:

Hope Akpan played 62 times for the Royals, scoring one goal and assisting five in the two years he was at the club. In 2017 he then moved to Burton where he played 29 games, scoring two goals and getting one assist.

Martin Butler played 103 games from 1999-2003 for Reading. In this time he managed 32 goals for the club. He later moved to Burton where he played 12 times, scoring twice and getting one assist for the Brewers.

Burton's latest signing, Bodvardsson, played 57 times for the Royals, scoring 17 and getting one assist for the club. Since signing for the Brewers he has made three appearances and scored three goals, proving to be a real threat in League One so far.

Ryan Edwards played 10 games for Reading back in 2014, only managing one assist. He later moved to Burton where he played 85 games, scoring eight and assisting eight.

Adrian Mariappa is the next on the list with 29 appearances for the Royals in 2012. He managed one goal for the club. He played 10 times for Burton where he also managed one goal.

Lastly, Stephen Quinn. He played 47 games for Reading with the midfielder managing two goals and four assists.

He then moved to Burton where he became a star, making 108 appearances, scoring two and assisting two.

Our strongest XI?

Reading currently have a few players out, with Jeriel Dorsett the latest to come off the pitch with an injury. But what would the strongest lineup be if there were no injuries?

There are a few players that I think walk into the team with recent performances and there are also some big names that in my opinion miss out on the best lineup. Let's start with the players that walk into the side.

Big names such as Joel Pereira, Lewis Wing, Tyler Bindon and Sam Smith are obviously going to be in the side. This leaves seven positions to fill.

I will stick with Noel Hunt's 4-3-3 formation as, bar the last couple of games, it has been working well.

Andy Yiadom slots straight back into right-back for me. Although not playing a game in around eight months, his ability and leadership command a place in the team.

Similar to Yiadom, Amadou Mbengue is another that can't miss out. Now I'm an advocate for Harlee Dean to play as much as he can - he has easily been our best player since coming back into the side - but the partnership that Bindon and Mbengue have is incomparable to any others, so Mbengue makes it into my side.

Left-back is a toss-up for me. I think it depends on the game, but overall, I am going to give the edge to Dorsett. Although Andre Garcia has been great since coming into the side and at such a young age, he has shown he has some real promise for the future - but he isn't a left-back. For me he is more of an attacking player.

Alternatively, Abraham Kanu is more of a centre-back. But Dorsett has some great attributes for a defensive left-back. He is a solid tackler and positions himself very well when defending.

Alongside Lewis Wing in midfield, for me a big player misses out. Firstly, I think Wing needs to play a little bit further forward than he has been playing recently. This is why I think Michael Craig goes into the lineup. Being mostly deployed as a right-back this season, he has learnt a lot more defensive duties and his performances so far this season mean he has to be in the team.

Alongside those two I would have Ben Elliott. Yes, I get this means Harvey Knibbs and Charlie Savage miss out, but the last few games have really shown how much we are missing someone as creative as him. The ability he has to find a forward pass and the amount he covers on the pitch is just something we really need at the minute - and that why he is in the team.

The forward three is where we get the goals. Like I said before, Smith gets into the team - he's our main striker, our top scorer, there's no question. But we do actually have a lot of options in the forward line. Mamadi Camara, Chem Campbell, Adrian Akande, Jayden Wareham, Kelvin Ehibhationham and Garcia are all options to make up the rest of the forward line.

In my opinion, Ehibhationham takes up one of those spots. The explosive forward has the capability to take on any defender with his pace and great footwork. He also has a knack for a goal from anywhere. This was proven last season when he got Reading's goal of the season against Cambridge United.

In my opinion, the final position gets taken up by Campbell. Ultimately, we can't keep him past this season unless some sort of miracle happens with the new owners, but he's shown he deserves to be in the side.

The form he had before his brief return to Wolverhampton Wanderers was amazing. I rave about him all the time and I think it is deserved. The past few games haven't been great for him but he is still recovering from an injury, similar to Ehibhationham. He, like Ehibhatiomhan, has great footwork and likes to take people on. He also has options whether to cut in or cross as he can use both of his feet decently well.

For me that is Reading's best XI. What are your thoughts on this? Let me know if you agree or disagree.

My lineup

There may be some rotation in this squad given the past couple of games, so some big names might miss out.

In goal will be Pereira. It's an important league game so he is going to be in goal.

The defence will be similar to the weekend with Craig, Bindon and Dean all starting. But I assume Kanu will come in to replace the injured Dorsett.

The midfield is where I could see some changes. Wing and Knibbs are two that will stay, but Tivonge Rushesha will take the place of Savage. We're in need of a change and that is one I think may happen.

Similar to the midfield, there will be a few changes up top too. Campbell is likely to start but I think he will be joined by Ehibhationham and Wareham. Trying Ehibhatiomhan up front will be a good idea to get him back into the starting lineup again for the first time since his injury.

Score prediction 2-0 Royals!

Good luck to those travelling to Burton for the game.

Come on you Royals!