FA Cup | Second Round

Dec 1, 2024 at 2pm UK

Select Car Leasing Stadium

Readingvs.Harborough Town

Match preview

Reading are currently trying to secure a spot in the League One playoffs. After winning eight, drawing three, and losing five of their 16 league matches, the Royals are currently in seventh place.

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

Sam Smith's two goals were enough to secure a draw, extending Reading's unbeaten run to four matches across 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.

The Royals are four tiers above Harborough, so they're the clear favourites to progress to the third round. They've 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 hoping for a big upset on Sunday, but whatever the result, they've already made history in their memorable FA Cup campaign.

The seventh-tier side got their incredible journey started back in August when they played out a goalless draw against Darlaston Town in the first qualifying round.

Mitch Austin's team went on to win 3-2 in the replay, then beat Stourbridge, Leamington and Bury at home to set up a first-round tie against Tonbridge Angels, who play in the sixth tier.

Harborough had an easy time of it against their opponents, scoring freely to win 4-1 and 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. There'll be more than 3,000 fans travelling to the match, and they're dreaming of an improbable win and place in Monday's third-round draw.

Recent Performance

Reading FA Cup form:W

Reading form (all competitions):WLDWWD

Harborough Town FA Cup form:DWWWWW

Team News

It looks like Andy Yiadom, Kelvin Abrefa and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan won't be playing today because of injuries.

Amadou Mbengue won't 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 might be tempted to mix up his side for the second-round clash, which could see starting opportunities for Jayden Wareham, Adrian Akande, Mamadi Camara, Andre Garcia and Ashqar Ahmed.

The visitors will also have former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Sandro available after he signed with them 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 scoring twice in the first round, Ben Stephens will be hoping to make it three on Sunday when he plays against the Royals.

Possible starting lineup

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