It’s back to league action for the Royals after a second penalty win of the season, against Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday.
Reading looked OK in that game, giving those who don’t start in the first team some minutes, and there were a few that I think made cases to start in this one. Plus, a new signing of George Earthy will bolster the midfield to give Reading arguably the best front six in the league.
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AFC Wimbledon haven’t started the campaign great – similar to Reading it has been a loss in the league and two cup games that have gone to penalties. However, Wimbledon have only won one of their two shootouts, losing to Leyton Orient on Tuesday night.
Former Royal Andy Yiadom will be in the squad for the upcoming game alongside former wonderkid Steven Sessegnon in what is a very promising-looking Wimbledon side.
In this preview I will mention players who could find their way into the starting lineup, look at what Earthy gives to this Reading side and give my predictions on what the lineup could be.
It’s matchday two in League One and the Royals travel to Wimbledon on Saturday August 22 at 3pm.
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Recent results indicate that this will be a good game. The odds say Reading are narrow favourites but you can never write off the home team. It will be referee Michael Barlow who brings us into this one at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Players who could enter the starting 11
It was a bit of a boring performance from both teams in midweek, but there were a few stand-out players.
I thought Ashqar Ahmed had a great performance. He made seven defensive contributions as well as creating two chances. He had 83% pass completion and defensively he was solid. He could be our starting right-back for the upcoming few games.
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Boyd Beacroft is another who, defensively, I thought had a great evening. He had the most defensive contributions in the match with 12. He also won six out of his seven ground duels and made six clearances. From the games we have seen this year, I think he has been our best centre-back.
Emmanuel Osho had a good match too. He had two shots and both were on target, and should have probably scored. He made two successful dribbles (out of three) and was very good on the wing. I doubt he will make the starting 11 but he can definitely make an impact off the bench.
Finally, Liam Fraser had a great game. He is one I thought would be in the starting 11 anyway, but he took his goal really well, with 75 touches and seven passes into the final third. Defensively he had a great match as well: seven recoveries, four clearances and 100% of his aerial duels won. I think he will start over Andy Rinomhota this weekend.
These four were my stand-out players, and the first three show that our Category 1 academy is still coming on strong.
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George Earthy
The 2004-born attacking midfielder has been at West Ham United almost his entire career, with two loan spells at Bristol City. He has made five appearances total for West Ham, scoring one goal in the process, as well as making 51 appearances for Bristol City, scoring three and assisting two.
It was his 2023/24 season with West Ham under-21s that caught my eye: 32 appearances, 14 goals and 11 assists. What a year that was and I hope he’s able to bring a season like that to the Royals.
In his main season for Bristol City, when comparing him to others in his position, he is in the top percentages for goals, xG, xG on target, non-penalty xG, shots, shots on target, successful passes, touches in the opposition box and possession won in the final third.
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He is very clearly a goalscoring midfielder and likes to have a crack at goal, which all of our midfielders do. But he seems to get it on target often, and with the goalkeepers in the league, I think he could score a few long-rangers, so Lewis Wing may have some competition.
He is also very two-footed. Being able to play from both feet gives so many more opportunities in the game.
He is a very exciting signing and I think he will be a big part of the squad.
My predictions
Joel Pereira will start in goal.
Ahmed, Beacroft, Paudie O’Connor and Jeriel Dorsett will be the back four.
Fraser and Wing will sit in front of the defence.
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Daniel Kyerewaa, Earthy and Kyreece Lisbie will be the attacking three.
Sat in front of those three will be Jack Marriott.
Score prediction: 2-0 Reading!
Good luck to those going to the game!
Come on you Royals!
