Reading need a substantial victory away to Bristol Rovers to keep their EFL Trophy knockout stage hopes alive this week. The Royals enter the match in strong form, having won five of their last five matches across all competitions, including a 5-0 FA Cup demolition of Peterborough United last Saturday.
Reading sit sixth in the League One standings with 22 points from 14 games, but their EFL Trophy campaign requires a boost. They are three points behind Chelsea Under-21s in Group South 3 and must better their result to progress. The mathematics are clear: Reading must win by a margin of at least three goals to have a chance of topping the group, a scenario that would see them finish on six points and a superior goal difference to Chelsea's Under-21s if the young Blues lose their final match. Jamie Reid, who scored a brace off the bench against Peterborough, is in line to start. Defender Udoka Godwin-Malife picked up a knock in that game, so Ashqar Ahmed could deputise.
Bristol Rovers' Trophy struggles
Bristol Rovers have struggled in this competition, collecting just one point from their first two group matches. They have a 0% win rate in the EFL Trophy this season and have nothing left to play for, having already been eliminated. The Pirates sit 17th in League Two and were thrashed 4-1 by Wycombe Wanderers in their last Trophy outing. Their overall record in the tournament reads one win, one draw and three defeats from five matches.
Reading have a dominant historical record against Tuesday's opponents, winning three of the four previous meetings and drawing the other. Their recent form is a mix, with three wins, a draw and a loss in their last five outings, a sequence that includes a 2-0 league defeat to Oxford United. The focus now shifts to securing the required result in the Trophy before a tough away league fixture at second-placed Stockport County on Saturday, a match that kicks off at 15:00. The possible Reading lineup includes Pereira, Ahmed, Knight, Masterson, Roberts, Fraser, Savage, Williams, Stokes, Kyerewaa and Reid.
Reading's EFL Trophy campaign ended on 10 November 2026 after a 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers. The young Royals led twice through Sean Patton and Jerae Jones but conceded quick equalisers, exiting 5-3 on penalties. Manager Leam Richardson said the young players "put on an impressive display." This result, following their 5-0 FA Cup win, leaves their recent form at two wins, two draws and a loss from their last five matches.
