The Royals go into this game three unbeaten but I feel I should be saying three wins. That last match against Bolton Wanderers really should have been a victory.
As I have seen said on Twitter, beforehand we would absolutely have taken a draw. But being ahead for that long and then conceding that late on, it’s annoying – poor, almost. It just feels the Royals should have got way more out of the game than they did.
Port Vale are rock bottom of the league and their January transfer window definitely won’t have helped them. Vale have got rid of so many players – including Royals summer target Devante Cole – and not really replaced them. They have made a few signings, including former Watford and Burnley striker Andre Gray, but they haven’t really bolstered their squad as much as some fans would have liked.
Looking at the weather in Stoke at time of writing on Friday afternoon, it is looking more and more likely the game is going to be called off. But if the match does go on, I will be there as for me it’s right around the corner.
The head-to-head between the clubs is in Reading’s favour with 27 wins, 14 draws and 24 losses. The last meeting between the sides was at the start of the season when Paddy Lane got the only goal in a 1-0 victory at the SCL.
In this preview I will be talking about Vale’s last game, against Stevenage, and I will give my predictions.
What? League One matchday 33
Season? 2025/26
Who? Port Vale
Where? Vale Park
When? Saturday February 21
Time? 15:00
Opposition manager? Jon Brady
Port Vale vs Stevenage
Vale really needed a result against someone to get them back up and running. The game started off well, Vale scoring inside the first 10 minutes with Jayden Stockley getting on the scoresheet. They proceeded to have four more shots in the entire match and conceded two goals to lose 2-1.
Stevenage were by far the better side in this one and that win has taken them above the Royals, with them having a game in hand in the race for a playoff spot.
Vale misplaced 39% of their passes in this match. I’m not sure if I am reading into this too much but that seems very high. 61% of passes were completed and accurate – meaning that, from a total of 326 passes, only 199 of them went to the player intended.
This is something the Royals can easily exploit. With Reading’s high press, they are able to force mistakes and can easily create some chances from this.
According to FotMob, Vale’s new signing Gray was the worst player on the pitch who started the game. This isn’t good when it comes to wanting a new-striker bounce, a guy who scores you goals, and he hasn’t done either.
It is very worrying for them in a campaign where they were looking at staying up after such a strong season last year in League Two.
My lineup
Joel Pereira will start in goal.
Ryan Nyambe, Finley Burns, Benn Ward and Jeriel Dorsett will be the defence.
Kamari Doyle, Lewis Wing, Charlie Savage and Kadan Young will be the midfield.
Will Keane and Jack Marriott will start the game up front.
Score prediction: 3-0 Royals!
Good luck to those travelling to the game. Feel free to come and pop around to the Terrace if you are looking for an away pub, I will be there working and then travelling to the game.
Come on you Royals!