Reading will make the trip to the Johnny-Rocks Stadium on Tuesday for an interesting cup encounter. Can Cheltenham beat their higher-ranked opponents, or will Reading extend their lead at the top of the group? Let’s take a closer look now.
Contents
- 1 Cheltenham vs Reading prediction: Reading to face an attacking challenge in potential draw
- 2 Most recent H2Hs: Cheltenham putting up a strong fight
- 3 Cheltenham preview: A strong cup start with hopes of progression
- 4 Reading preview: Group leaders and higher-ranked team
- 5 Player to watch – Lewis Wing (Reading)
Cheltenham vs Reading prediction: Reading to face an attacking challenge in potential draw
Key stats
- Reading drew their last away game against Cheltenham 2-2
- Cheltenham have lost 6 of their 10 league games this season
- Cheltenham have scored in 7 of their last 8 games (all competitions)
- Reading have scored 13 goals in 9 league games this season
Correct score prediction: Cheltenham 1-1 Reading
Although Reading are the ‘better’ team on paper, since they are in League One, the statistics point to a possible draw here. The last time they played at the Johnny-Rocks Stadium, which was in 2023, the game finished 2-2. But we expect fewer goals in this one, with Cheltenham likely to take a more defensive approach – creating a potential 1-1 scoreline.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Reading favoured for away win
- HOME: 7/4 (2.75) – 36.40%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.40%
- AWAY: 6/5 (2.20) – 45.50%
Based on the latest odds, Reading has the bookie’s favour, but not by much. They have a 45.50% chance of winning the game compared with a 36.40% chance for Cheltenham, showing there isn’t much in it. Furthermore, we are more tempted by the draw, which has a 29.40% probability of coming through on paper.
Take a look at our football betting tips page for more exciting cup predictions this week.
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Most recent H2Hs: Cheltenham putting up a strong fight
Reading and Cheltenham have only faced each other twice in recent times. Cheltenham held Reading to a 2-2 draw in one of them, while Reading managed to win the other on home soil. However, this win came by just a 1-0 margin, which confirms how similar these teams really are in standard.
England League 1 29/12/23
Cheltenham
Reading
England League 1 15/08/23
Reading
Cheltenham
Cheltenham preview: A strong cup start with hopes of progression
In the EFL Trophy, Cheltenham kicked things off with a win over Newport. This was a 2-1 win on the road, and such a result over the 9th-ranked team in League Two will inevitably create confidence.
Predicted Lineup: Southwood (GK); Shepherd, Freestone, Bradbury; Ferry, Sercombe, Bonds, Williams; Goodwin, Taylor, Malcolm
England League 2 03/05/25
L
Bromley
3
Cheltenham
0
England League 2 26/04/25
W
Carlisle
2
Cheltenham
3
England League 2 21/04/25
W
Notts County
1
Cheltenham
2
England League 2 18/04/25
D
Gillingham
1
Cheltenham
1
England League 2 10/04/25
W
Crewe
2
Cheltenham
3
Reading preview: Group leaders and higher-ranked team
Reading is in 16th place in League One, and they started with a win in the EFL Trophy over West Ham’s under-21 squad. They scored three goals in that one, but going on the road to face a lower-ranked team like Cheltenham is never easy.
Predicted Lineup: Button (GK); Yiadom, Holmes, Dean, Dorsett; Wing, Craig, Knibbs; Azeez, Smith, Ehibhatiomhan
England League 1 03/05/25
L
Barnsley
4
Reading
2
England League 1 26/04/25
W
Bristol Rovers
0
Reading
2
England League 1 21/04/25
W
Mansfield
1
Reading
5
England League 1 18/04/25
L
Lincoln City
1
Reading
0
England League 1 12/04/25
D
Northampton
0
Reading
0
Player to watch – Lewis Wing (Reading)
Lewis Wing isn’t a key goalscorer for Reading, but the captain consistently puts in strong performances. He is regularly the highest-rated player among the Reading squad based on numerous sources. And he did score on the road against Rotherham in Reading’s most recent 2-1 defeat in League One.
For these reasons, he is our man to watch in this cup encounter.