When : Saturday April 12 2025, 3pm
Where : Sixfields, Upton Way, Northampton, NN5 5QA
Capacity : 7,798
After the euphoria of actually winning a league game away from home, and in midweek too - albeit at the worst team in the division, comes another trip to really test the mettle.
A win here won’t just cement Reading’s current foray into the top 6 but it would also push the club into the top 6 in the away form table which would be ideal if there was to be a subsequent play off campaign.
The problem though is that, while doing well in the league, Reading’s away form is actually really not that good. There were several moments against Shrewsbury where defensively Reading were a complete shambles and in previous games - even against the poor sides of the division - Reading have come up embarrassingly short.
Northampton will be a big test as, while struggling, they are pretty much safe from the drop by the cr@pness of others. Their problem is that they are erratic, while generally poor, they come up with the necessary at regular intervals, such as last weekend’s 4-0 romp at Peterborough and the taking of 6 points from Leyton Orient over the season, to keep their heads above water.
Current form is 2 wins and 3 draws in 9 for the Cobblers but 0 wins in the last 5 home games so they are probably due to correct that some time soon. Of course being pretty much safe with just a few games left could mean players being “on the beach” but Reading shouldn’t look to rely on looking for freebie handouts and ensure they make the running themselves.
Three players have been scoring the goals for Northampton; Sam Hoskins (7), Cameron McGeehan (9) and Tom Eaves (5). On top of that Tariq Fosu is in their books so you can be sure at least one of their players will be up for things.
Pretty sure Noel will select from the same squad that beat Shrewsbury so let’s hope tiredness doesn’t become a factor against a team who have had a clear week. Really hope Wareham starts and WiFi gets the left wing role as the team then looks so much better as an attacking force.
Other L1 games of interest this weekend:
Barnsley v Bolton
Burton v Huddersfield
Cambridge v Charlton
Crawley v Leyton Orient
Stockport v Rotherham
Wycombe v Huddersfield
Referee
Greg Rollason
Previously
Nothing known
Historically
There have been 91 previous league meetings between the two clubs so this will be the 46th trek over to their place but just the 5th league visit to Sixfields. It's not been too bad a venue as Reading have won 2 and lost 2 of the 4 league visits to this part of Northampton.
The remaining 41 trips were to the famous old three sided behemoth of the local cricket pitch (which is still used by Northamptonshire if anyone wants to visit that too for old time's sake). Those 41 visits resulted in 14 wins, 10 draws and 17 defeats so overall Northampton have been one of the more welcoming sides for Reading, however Northampton do seem to be an opponent that can score goals for fun against Reading, having racked up several 5 goal stuffings down the years.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket and travel
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use a RoyalsTV subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
