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FA Cup | Second Round
Dec 1, 2024 at 2pm UK
Select Car Leasing Stadium

Reading
5 - 3
Harborough Town

Camara (20'), Savage (59'), Akande (65'), Campbell (93', 96')
Kanu (16'), Garcia (80')
Kanu (75')
FT
(aet)
Matthew John Robinson (18'), O'Sullivan (21'), Tonga (86')
Sandro (27'), Malone (109')

Preview: Reading vs. Harborough Town - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Reading vs. Harborough Town - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Sunday's FA Cup clash between Reading and Harborough Town, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

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

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-placed 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

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 that 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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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe18124239211840
2Wrexham19124328111740
3Birmingham CityBirmingham17123232161639
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield18112528161235
5Stockport CountyStockport1996431191233
6Reading189453025531
7Bolton WanderersBolton179352827130
8Barnsley197662725227
9Lincoln CityLincoln197662423127
10Mansfield TownMansfield177372222024
11Exeter CityExeter187381619-324
12Charlton AthleticCharlton186571819-123
13Blackpool186572631-523
14Stevenage176471316-322
15Peterborough UnitedPeterborough176383230221
16Leyton Orient186391920-121
17Bristol Rovers186391726-921
18Wigan AthleticWigan185581516-120
19Rotherham UnitedRotherham175571620-420
20Crawley TownCrawley185491728-1119
21Northampton TownNorthampton184681925-618
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge1844101829-1116
23Burton Albion1825111630-1411
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury1832131835-1711
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