MATCHWATCH : Blackpool (h)

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday May 2 2026, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24161

If anyone still cares this is the end of the season, it’s the last game of 25-26 and everyone will be really excited for the visit of the tangerine Seasiders

Think it could be an odd atmosphere as there’s bound to be some that wouldn’t mind a disastrous home performance in an effort to heap pressure on the management when the board review the season and decide on the way forward.

In all likelihood though it’ll just be another nondescript festival of not much as there is absolutely nothing riding on the game for either team though the Reading players will still have to decide which way round the pitch to walk for their “lap of honour” once the Blackpool celebrations have finished.

Blackpool are 13th and the only realistic change they can make to that position by season end is to lose and hope Doncaster and/or Barnsley or Wigan get a better result as the tangerines are 3 points behind 12th and Wycombe have a vastly superior GD.

The Seasiders have won a mere 6 of their last 8 league games, including winning 3 of their last 3. In comparison Reading have won 2 of their last 8, haven’t won since the end of March and have amassed 2 points from the last 15 available so those wanting to see something that adversely effects the manager’s future might get their wish (there that should guarantee a 5-0 home win).

Midfielder Ashley Fletcher will be the one to watch with 15 goals which is 2 more than the most successful Blackpool forward line pairing of Niall Ennis and Tom Bloxham together. The Reading connection is weak thankfully with just former Reading rumour Josh Bowler being in the squad, but injury means he (& George Honeyman) will both miss the rest of the season.

Loads injured, don’t think anyone is particularly bothered about that though as it should mean a possible opportunity to see an Academy youngster or two get a moment on the pitch.

Finally I believe the game will be steamable via NOW/Sky red button - if you can confirm let us know below

Referee

Elliot Bell

Previously

17 Jan 26 > Leyton Orient 3-1 Reading
13 Sep 25 > Barnsley 3-2 Reading

Historically

This is the 25th home game against Blackpool and Reading have won 14 times to Blackpool’s 4 so history would seem to favour a home triumph but we all know Reading aren’t all that this season and wiout any pressure to produce a result things seem just as dreadful so who knows what expect in this one.

How to follow the game

1. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
2. Ring/text a mate for updates
3. Use an RoyalTV subscription
4. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
5. Or you can always just go and get a ticket

[tidus_mi2]

I do think we'll win this one and voted as such but I really don't care. But since I'll be there it would be nice to finish off with something positive.

[Hound]

Going to be a crap atmosphere, just hope the suns out and at least make it slightly more pleasant

May be slightly interesting if he gives the u21s a bit more of a game. Be good to see Osho ,Patton and Hicks get some minutes

[Stranded]

Is this season still going? Really?

[Whore Jackie]

Forecast for Saturday, and the rest of the Bank Holiday weekend isn't great either.

[katweslowski]

I have already made the decision not to attend the game. Can't be bothered. THere will be booing, chants for Leam Out, we'll likely lose or at least put in another absolutely dreadful performance, and then the players will do a half-hearted lap of apprecition in front of about 1000 fans who choose to stay

[Royals and Racers]

Confirmed that the match is on SKY Sports +

[South Coast Royal]

Are there any fireworks planned?

For those who think that changing a manager during the season (you know who you are) is a bad thing then teams like Blackpool as well as Southampton, Man Utd , Bristol Rovers, Torquay etc., etc. are examples of how it can work for the better.

IIRC Blackpool were bottom or very near bottom not so long ago and on current form (if they or Reading care about the game) they are probably favourites.

Let's hope that the team signs off with a better performance than in the big let-down of the final game last season.

[Broxroyal]

I recall a last match of the season at home to Blackpool, probably about 50 years ago. Nothing riding on it, dreadful game, we lost 1-0 to the most ridiculous penalty decision I have ever seen. No one cared, apart from Richie Bowman who, as usual, gave his all.

[stealthpapes]

Blackpool under Evatt

Played 33
Won 15 draw 6 lost 12
1.54 ppg

So they’ve done basically the same as us since changing their manager.
Right.

[katweslowski]

Any guesses for attendance?

I will go for 12,053 - but it will looks even more empty than usual with many season ticket holders not bothering.

[Sutekh]

I recall a last match of the season at home to Blackpool, probably about 50 years ago. Nothing riding on it, dreadful game, we lost 1-0 to the most ridiculous penalty decision I have ever seen. No one cared, apart from Richie Bowman who, as usual, gave his all.

Almost exactly 46 years ago, last home game of the season:

Saturday 26th April 1980 at Elm Park

Reading 0-1 Blackpool

Death - Joslyn - White - Bowman - Hetzke - Moreline - Earles - Kearney - Kearns - Heale - Webb Sub: Sanchez - att: 6,108

The season finished the following week with a 1-1 draw (Kearney) away at Rotherham. Spooky

Reading finished 7th and Blackpool 18th.

[Clyde1998]

Any guesses for attendance?

I will go for 12,053 - but it will looks even more empty than usual with many season ticket holders not bothering.

Based on ticket website, we've sold about 11,100 tickets.

The trend from the last four home games seems to suggest we're heading for 12,000 home fans, plus whatever Blackpool bring. Obviously might be a bit lower if more season ticket holders don't show up than usual. 12,000 overall may be about right.

[MR. CYNICAL]

Are there any fireworks planned?

For those who think that changing a manager during the season (you know who you are) is a bad thing then teams like Blackpool as well as Southampton, Man Utd , Bristol Rovers, Torquay etc., etc. are examples of how it can work for the better.

IIRC Blackpool were bottom or very near bottom not so long ago and on current form (if they or Reading care about the game) they are probably favourites.

Let's hope that the team signs off with a better performance than in the big let-down of the final game last season.

Not sure what your point is but our change of manager hardly set the world alight, Apologies if that's the point you were making.

[Broxroyal]

I recall a last match of the season at home to Blackpool, probably about 50 years ago. Nothing riding on it, dreadful game, we lost 1-0 to the most ridiculous penalty decision I have ever seen. No one cared, apart from Richie Bowman who, as usual, gave his all.

Almost exactly 46 years ago, last home game of the season:

Saturday 26th April 1980 at Elm Park

Reading 0-1 Blackpool

Death - Joslyn - White - Bowman - Hetzke - Moreline - Earles - Kearney - Kearns - Heale - Webb Sub: Sanchez - att: 6,108

The season finished the following week with a 1-1 draw (Kearney) away at Rotherham. Spooky

Reading finished 7th and Blackpool 18th.

Thanks for filling in the gaps in my memory Sutekh. Anyway, I'm predicting the same again, - dull game, 0-1 scoreline.

[South Coast Royal]

Are there any fireworks planned?

For those who think that changing a manager during the season (you know who you are) is a bad thing then teams like Blackpool as well as Southampton, Man Utd , Bristol Rovers, Torquay etc., etc. are examples of how it can work for the better.

IIRC Blackpool were bottom or very near bottom not so long ago and on current form (if they or Reading care about the game) they are probably favourites.

Let's hope that the team signs off with a better performance than in the big let-down of the final game last season.

Not sure what your point is but our change of manager hardly set the world alight, Apologies if that's the point you were making.

Yeah, my overall point, badly put, is that changing a manager can be a good thing and can even produce good stuff to watch.
It can be argued that LR has steadied the ship but hasn't done exceptionally well in terms of points and at the same time has produced drab football.
I just wish now that he would go.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

I recall a last match of the season at home to Blackpool, probably about 50 years ago. Nothing riding on it, dreadful game, we lost 1-0 to the most ridiculous penalty decision I have ever seen. No one cared, apart from Richie Bowman who, as usual, gave his all.

Was there....think it was 1979/80 season, I believe Alan Ball was their manager.

[Clyde1998]

Any guesses for attendance?

I will go for 12,053 - but it will looks even more empty than usual with many season ticket holders not bothering.

Based on ticket website, we've sold about 11,100 tickets.

The trend from the last four home games seems to suggest we're heading for 12,000 home fans, plus whatever Blackpool bring. Obviously might be a bit lower if more season ticket holders don't show up than usual. 12,000 overall may be about right.

To update this, looks like we're still looking at around 12,000 home fans (with around 11,600 sold). Just depends on how many season ticket holders don't show up tomorrow.

[Ascotexgunner]

I'm actually more interested in Brentford v West Ham......bit sad our season has come to this....unwatchable football and nothing to play for.
We must be the only club in the country that haven't reduced their shirts and merchandise as well.
Really hard to get enthusiastic about tomorrow.

[themwasthedays]

Doesn't seem to be the best match to be making one of my infrequent visits, from Taunton. I had thought I'd pick up a few cheap(er) items from the store; obviously not. Still, it's always good to be there & meet up with a few old friends, but my expectations are not very high with regards to the football. (Predict a narrow(ish) defeat). Maybe next year will be..........?