When : Tuesday March 4 2025, 8pm
Where : SCL Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
Biggest game of the season time (and so this will keep repeating until Reading drop out of the play off hunt). The Reading play off bandwagon now greets the struggling Grecians for a cast iron, no doubt home win.
If only! After grabbing a second 2025 away win in a reasonably tricky northern trek (and from behind too) you’d think this visit from a relegation haunted team on a run of 1 win in 9 would be child’s play. But as we know Reading have recorded a catalogue of howlers down the recent years in this sort of situation, so plenty to guard against.
Exeter’s 1 win in 9 was away from home too, albeit at Cambridge, so they can cause trouble if you let them - as Nottingham Forest reserves almost found out in the Cup recently. The other issue for the visitors is that the 1-0 win at Cambridge is Exeter’s only clean sheet since November so there should be chances for Reading to capitalise on
Millennic Alli and Josh Magennis are the (between them) 16 goal scoring threats to block out. The other interesting possibility is seeing former Royal Acaddmy starlet Pierce Sweeney, who is now an experienced stalwart of the Grecians after almost a decade and over 300 appearances clocked since departing Reading 9 years ago.
Injury issues are coming back to try and derail the promotion charge
while Yiadom is back and Elliot very close to returning; Dean has another month or so, Chem Campbell has a minor niggle and is doubtful while WiFi has a badly cut head and may not be risked, on top of that Michael Craig may well be finished for the season after picking up a serious quad muscle injury (it is hoped he’d be back for the play off final though). As a result Reading may well try to play their “collect a free agent” card in the next few days.Referee
Richard Eley
Previously
No previous history
Historically
Of the 42 previous home league games against Exeter, Reading have won on 32 occasions and lost just 4 so this theoretically should be as nailed on a home win as it is possible to get. However, as we know from Reading’s past history, this sort of situation doesn’t always run smooth. Last season Reading fell over the line with a late Femi Azeez goal in a 3-2 victory after Exeter kept hauling themselves level.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket and travel to the Mad Stad
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Red button/NOW app
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use a RoyalTV subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
