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Bolton boss Steven Schumacher / | CameraSport via Getty Images
A great win at the weekend and a hat-trick for Jack Marriott have Reading three points off the playoffs in seventh place. A late playoff charge is on. A win midweek would keep us in seventh but only on goal difference behind Huddersfield Town, who we play in April, and could beat if we are on form.
Bolton Wanderers managed a late draw against Lincoln City in what could be a promotion-fighting point. The Trotters are currently in third and Lincoln are in second – both very likely to get promoted alongside Cardiff City and I reckon it could go down to the last day.
Reading are in front in the head-to-head in the 21st century but only just: seven wins, seven draws and five losses, with the last game being a 1-1 draw at the start of the season. However, in the last five meetings, Bolton have scored five goals against Reading on two separate occasions, with both games ending 5-2. Hopefully that doesn’t happen again.
In this preview I will give my predictions for both teams’ next five games and where they could leave them going into the end of the season, and I will give my predictions.
What? League One matchday 32
Season? 2025/26
Who? Bolton Wanderers
Where? Select Car Leasing Stadium
When? Tuesday February 17
Time? 20:00
Opposition manager? Steven Schumacher
The next five games
Reading’s next five games are:
- Bolton (H)
- Port Vale (A)
- Bradford City (H)
- Luton Town (A)
- Mansfield Town (A)
Bolton’s next five are:
- Reading (A)
- Blackpool (H)
- Exeter City (A)
- Wycombe Wanderers (H)
- Rotherham United (A)
I think this one is going to be a 1-1 draw, like last time out. Both teams have three away games and two home games, Reading obviously being at home in this one.
I am going to the game against Port Vale, so in what should be an easy win, knowing my luck, because I am there we will most likely draw. But I will put it as a win and be hopeful.
Bradford and Luton are going to be the most difficult matches. Last time out at Bradford, the Royals lost 2-0, but Reading are unbeaten at home since December, so I reckon they can sneak a draw from this one.
Luton were beaten by Reading last time out and they will be sure to not be beaten again. Defensively they have improved massively, but I don’t think that will make a difference. Reading win 2-1.
Finally, away at Mansfield. Reading struggle on the road and I think this could be another difficult game. Last time out it was a 1-1 draw, this time I think it could be a loss. Reading seem to do less well against struggling teams and I think this could be the game that sees Reading drop some more points.
I predict a 1-0 loss, last minute in a game that Reading batter them, but can’t seem to make that decisive impact. This will leave the Royals on 54 points.
Bolton are flying under Schumacher. In third at the minute, results really matter.
As I have said, I think Tuesday’s game will be a draw, so that’s a point. I think they get another draw at home to Blackpool, then they will win the last three. This will put them on 67 points.
Realistically this would mean both teams stay in the position they are in because I don’t see either Lincoln or Huddersfield dropping points.
My lineup
Joel Pereira will start in goal.
Ryan Nyambe, Paudie O’Connor, Benn Ward and Jeriel Dorsett will be the defence.
The midfield will be Liam Fraser, Lewis Wing and Kamari Doyle.
The attack will be Kadan Young, Marriott and Paddy Lane.
Score prediction: 1-1
Good luck to those going to the game.
Come on you Royals!
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