When : Saturday 13th April 2024, 3pm
Where : Oakwell, Grove Street, Barnsley, S71 1ET
Capacity 23,009
Usual April/late season visit to South Yorkshire for the delights of Barnsley next and the second game in the swarm of B's that Reading have to the end the season with.
Reading might be tempted to relax now the number of games left have almost run out and the general form of teams below them isn't that hot but while that may elicit a better all round performance it's really not something that should be actively encouraged by the management, so heads down for another difficult clash that is, thankfully, the last against "promotion challenging" sides this season.
The Tykes have had a decent season, as is usual for them at this level, and as usual they're in amongst the play off teams and should comfortably get their season extended. However their current form has nosedived, especially at Oakwell, and the last 8 games have returned just 2 wins, both away from home against relegation haunted teams while they've failed to win any of their last 4 home games - which included conceding 7 goals in the games against Lincoln and Cambridge with only 1 goal scored in reply.
So Reading head towards a team that aren't at the peak of form and who have not scored at home for 193 minutes so there's opportunity to be had if the managment make the right calls and the players decide to be up for things.
Barnsley do have a very potent forward line with Devante Cole having hit 17 and John McAtee and Adam Philips having hit 19 between them so if these chaps can be quelled there should be a chance to continue the Tykes' misery for another home game.
Andy Yiadom is probably the only injury doubt going into the game after being substituted at Bristol but Reading do carry enough cover in that area for it to be not so much of a problem if he does miss the game.
Finally safety can be mathematically assured for Reading on Saturday if they win at Barnsley while Cheltenham (Bristol Rovers at home) and Burton (away at Stevenage) both lose.
Referee
Sebastian Stockbridge
Previously
Nothing
History
Reading away from home to play that oft quoted, proverbial game always thrown up when some mercurial foreign talent arrives from some hotter clime, got to be a miserable time to be had by all southern softies surely?
Well no actually, it was like that once but it’s not that bad these days.....
This will be the 38th time league action has occurred between the two teams in South Yorkshire and so far Reading have won 11 of the games compared to Barnsley’s 16. Sadly though fate will now be tempted as the bit Reading have to protect is the fact that since the move to RG2 the club has made this league trip 10 times and obtained 20 points following 5 wins and 5 draws.
How to follow the game
- Ticket yourself, be brave 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 RoyalTV subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
