Stockport County vs Reading: Match Preview

10/28/2024 05:40 PM

Will it be four on the bounce for the Royals or will newly promoted Stockport be too much?

Going into this match, Stockport County have only won one of their last five games and have started to decline a bit from their amazing start to life in League One. After going ahead at the weekend, the Hatters were unable to capitalise against Lincoln City, which resulted in a 2-1 loss.

Reading have won three games in a row and find themselves sixth in League One. Not only is it three in a row but they have won four of the past five games, only losing 2-1 to Rotherham United at the start of the month.

In this preview I will talk about Reading's amazing home form and whether they can replicate it when playing away from home, players who have played for both team, and my predictions for the game.

What? League One matchday 13

Season? 2024/25

Who? Stockport County FC

Where? Edgeley Park

When? Tuesday October 29

Time? 19:45

Opposition manager? Dave Challinor

Reading's incredible home form

Reading's home form is one to be appreciated, having won six out of the seven league games they have played at the SCL this season.

However, their away form is one to brush over, with one win in five games, with that victory coming last week against Exeter City.

But why is there such a big difference in these two forms?

At home, Reading have faced Wigan Athletic, Charlton Athletic, Huddersfield Town, Burton Albion, Leyton Orient, Crawley Town and Bristol Rovers.

Taking a look at those games, you would argue that against three of those teams, the Royals should have struggled more than they did. Wigan, Charlton and Huddersfield were all Championship sides in recent years with the Terriers being in the Premier League not that long ago.

When seeing these match-ups the away team would be favoured 90% of the time but, for some reason, Reading have been the side on top in all three. Is it the fans? Is it familiarity in where they are playing? Sadly only the players know that but it is vital that it stays the way it is.

The other four games I would say were favourable ones for the Royals, and for the most part it worked out that way, with them beating Burton Albion, Crawley Town and Bristol Rovers.

But the game against Leyton Orient was one that surprised me a little. Being at home with this incredible record carrying over from last season, the Royals were unable to capitalise on an otherwise poorly performing Os side. The Royals, having beaten teams when the odds were against them, then went and lost to a team when the odds were all in their favour.

Their away matches have seen them face up against Birmingham City, Wrexham, Bolton Wanderers, Rotherham United and Exeter City. It is difficult to judge based on these teams as I would say that three, maybe four of them, would give us a hard time when playing at home as well.

The outlier in this was the point we got at Birmingham which was so close to being a win, if not for a late goal for the home side. The game against Wrexham was a disappointing loss as I thought the Royals did actually play well, but as soon as the third goal went in, we all knew it was going to be over.

Similarly the game against Bolton Wanderers, when the scoreline didn't deserve to be what it turned out to be. Yes, I believe that Bolton deserved the win, but in the second half the Royals were by far the better team, but couldn't create that final attacking option that could have led to a goal.

Players who have played for both

Oliver Norwood played 81 times for the Royals, scoring four goals in two years for the club. We all remember him at Reading for that rocket he scored against Ipswich Town. He was a reliable player for the club and I feel that, with Lewis Wing, we have finally replaced him well.

He is now a current Stockport County player and has made 1 appearance for them this season. The 33-year-old brings a good level head with experience to help them get out of league 1 in the future.

Nicholas Bignall made one senior appearance for Reading in the six years he was at the club. Coming through the youth academy, the forward ended up playing for 20 clubs in his career, scoring 34 goals in the process.

One of these clubs was Stockport County. On loan from Reading, the forward managed 11 appearances, scoring three goals for the Hatters at the end of the 2009 season.

John Mullins is another academy graduate, but he failed to make a single appearance for the first team in the two years he was a senior at the club. In 2008 he signed from Mansfield Town to Stockport County. He played 69 times for the club, scoring four goals before leaving for Rotherham United in 2010.

My lineup

Joel Pereira was the hero at the weekend, saving all three points with some incredible goalkeeping skills in a game where he was untested for most of it. I expect him to retain his place.

In fact, I expect most of the team to stay how it was against Bristol Rovers.

This would indicate that the back line would be: Michael Craig, Amadou Mbengue, Tyler Bindon and Andre Garcia. Garcia is another one who I thought played extremely well at the weekend.

The midfield three at the weekend was Lewis Wing, Ben Elliott and Harvey Knibbs. It wasn't Knibbs' best game for us so I feel that Charlie Savage should come in to replace him.

I was very happy with the front three last game so I predict that Ruben Selles will continue with Mamadi Camara, Sam Smith and Kelvin Ehibhationham.

Score prediction: 1-1

This could be a difficult game for the Royals so, if we come out with a draw, I would be happy.

Good luck to those going to the game. Safe travels and remember to make some noise.

Come on you Royals!