Preview: Reading vs. Harborough Town

Sports Mole previews Sunday’s FA Cup clash between Reading and Harborough Town, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Sevent-tier Harborough Town will attempt to pull off an FA Cup upset when they travel to the Select Car Leasing Stadium for Sunday’s second-round tie against Reading.

Harborough defeated Tonbridge Wells to reach the second round for the first time in their history, while Reading began their FA Cup campaign with a win over Fleetwood Town.

Match preview
© Imago

Reading are currently battling for a playoff spot in League One, with the Royals sitting in seventh place after winning eight, drawing three and losing five of their 16 league matches.

The Royals are behind sixth-place Barnsley on goal difference after the two sides played out a 2-2 draw in Tuesday’s meeting at Oakwell.

Sam Smith’s brace was only enough to clinch a point, but the draw extended Reading’s unbeaten run to four matches in all competitions.

Ruben Selles’s side will now put their playoff bid on hold to focus on Sunday’s FA Cup tie, as they look to avoid a repeat of last season’s second-round exit.

Sitting four tiers above Harborough, the Royals will be the overwhelming favourites to progress to the third round, especially as they won nine of their 10 competitive home matches this season, including each of their previous six outings at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Harborough will be dreaming of pulling off an almighty upset on Sunday, but whatever the result, they have already made history in their memorable FA Cup campaign.

The seventh-tier side kicked off their unforgettable run back in August when they played out a goalless draw against Darlaston Town in the first qualifying round.

Mitch Austin’s charges went on to record a 3-2 away win in the replay, before claiming home victories over Stourbridge, Leamington and Bury to set up a first-round tie against sixth-tier Tonbridge Angels.

Harborough ultimately made light work of their opponents, producing a free-scoring display in a 4-1 victory to reach the second round for the first time in their 49-year history.

The Bees are now looking forward to facing a former Premier League side in the biggest game of the club’s history, and a travelling contingent of more than 3,000 will be dreaming of an improbable win and place in Monday’s third-round draw.

Reading FA Cup form:

Reading form (all competitions):

Harborough Town FA Cup form:

Team News
© Imago

Reading are expected to be without the services of Andy Yiadom, Kelvin Abrefa and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan due to injury.

Defender Amadou Mbengue is unlikely to be involved after he limped off in last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Peterborough United.

With Reading set to face Cambridge United on Tuesday, Selles could be tempted to rotate his side for the second-round clash, which could see starting opportunities afforded to Jayden Wareham, Adrian Akande, Mamadi Camara, Andre Garcia and Ashqar Ahmed.

As for the visitors, they will be able to call upon the services of former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Sandro after they announced the Brazilian’s signing early in November.

The 35-year-old has come out of retirement to play a part in Harborough’s FA Cup journey, and he could make his debut as a starter or a substitute in the second-round tie.

After netting a brace in the first round, Ben Stephens will look to create more heroics when he lines up against the Royals on Sunday.

Reading possible starting lineup:
Button; Ahmed, Holzman, Bindon, Garcia; Savage, Wing, Elliott; Akande, Camara, Wareham

Harborough Town possible starting lineup:
Taylor; Morris, Malone, Williams; Cooper, Kennedy, Robinson, Walsh; Stephens; Starkie, O’Sullivan

We say: Reading 3-0 Harborough Town
Harborough will enjoy Sunday’s fixture no matter the result, and while they will be dreaming of pulling off an upset, we think Reading’s league quality will ultimately shine through even if Selles decides to rotate his team for the second-round tie.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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