Reading vs Swindon Town: EFL Trophy Match Preview 2023/24

Reading will be looking to secure another big win in the EFL Trophy this evening as they take on Swindon Town.

Considering the Berkshire side are currently in the League One relegation zone, this fixture isn’t anywhere near as important as their league games, but they will still want to come out on top against a rival.

It remains to be seen what type of team is played tonight - but a good performance will be needed to keep supporters onside - that’s for sure.

We have a mini-preview for you ahead of this game.

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What? EFL Trophy group stage matchday 2

Season? 2023/24

Who? Swindon Town

Where? Select Car Leasing Stadium

When? Tuesday 10th October

Time? 7pm

Opposition Manager? Michael Flynn

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Pre-Match Thoughts

I’m confident of a win tonight, not because Swindon are in the league below us, but because we seem to turn up in the games that don’t really matter.

I’d love a trip to Wembley this season - but I would take survival over the EFL Trophy at this point because relegation to League Two could be catastrophic for us.

We need to be a different team after the international break and with Sam Smith potentially back in the fold, we could be set for brighter times. A change of formation is needed though - because Ruben Selles isn’t making this 4-2-2-2 system work at the moment.

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My Lineup

Starting XI: Boyce-Clarke, Guinness-Walker, Holmes, Dean, Abrefa, Craig, Elliott, Rushesha, Knibbs, Vickers, Wareham

Coniah Boyce-Clarke starts in place of David Button - and the former may have an opportunity to stake his claim for a regular starting spot.

Nesta Guinness-Walker gets an opportunity to prove his worth again alongside Tom Holmes, with Harlee Dean and Kelvin Abrefa on the right-hand side.

Michael Craig starts as the deepest midfield player for me, with the energetic Tivonge Rushesha and technically gifted Ben Elliott potentially forming a good partnership ahead of Craig.

Harvey Knibbs probably needs to get his confidence up after being ineffective for much of the season, and as mentioned before, surely Caylan Vickers can be a decent asset to have on the wing?

Up top, Jayden Wareham starts, but I wouldn’t be upset if Dom Ballard started as well. It could be an opportunity for him to get himself on the scoresheet.

Score Prediction: Reading 2-0 Swindon Town

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Other EFL Trophy Fixtures

The following games take place this evening:

Blackpool vs Liverpool U21

Morecambe vs Barrow

Charlton Athletic vs Aston Villa U21

Sutton United vs Crawley Town

Stevenage vs Wycombe Wanderers

Portsmouth vs Gillingham

Exeter City vs Arsenal U21

Cheltenham Town vs Newport County

Crewe Alexandra vs Wrexham

Port Vale vs Newcastle United U21

Carlisle United vs Nottingham Forest U21

Harrogate Town vs Accrington Stanley

Tranmere Rovers vs Leicester City U21

Wigan Athletic vs Fleetwood Town

Salford City vs Stockport County

Grimsby Town vs Bradford City

Lincoln City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers U21

Notts County vs Derby County

Mansfield Town vs Doncaster Rovers

Walsall vs Forest Green Rovers