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League One | Gameweek 13
Dec 12, 2023 at 8pm UK
Select Car Leasing Stadium
Oxford United

Reading
1 - 1
Oxford Utd

Smith (43')
Craig (19'), Holmes (51')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Brown (39')
Thorniley (37')

Preview: Reading vs. Oxford United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's League One clash between Reading and Oxford United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Des Buckingham will attempt to claim his first league victory as Oxford United boss when his side face Reading at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Tuesday.

The hosts, who are sitting in the relegation zone, will be looking for a response after losing to Barnsley at the weekend.


Match preview

Reading's Femi Azeez celebrates scoring their first goal on December 3, 2023© Reuters

After finishing last month with consecutive league wins, Reading began December with mixed results in the cup competitions.

Although they were dumped out of the FA Cup by fifth-tier Eastleigh, the Royals bounced back with a penalty-shootout victory over Charlton Athletic in the EFL Trophy.

Unfortunately for the Royals, they were unable to back up their EFL Trophy success in Saturday's home league meeting with Barnsley despite the fact that they took the lead through Harvey Knibbs inside four minutes.

However, Herbie Kane restored parity from the penalty spot to send the two sides into the break on level terms, before late goals from Devante Cole and Max Watters condemned the Royals to a 3-1 defeat, which leaves them in 23rd place and five points adrift from safety.

Having conceded 33 goals in 19 league games, Reading currently hold the worst defensive record in the division, highlighting a key area for improvement if they are to avoid back-to-back relegations.

Oxford, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency since Buckingham replaced Liam Manning in the dugout last month.

The Oxford boss began his tenure with a disappointing 2-0 defeat, before they fought hard to take a point off promotion rivals Bolton Wanderers.

After overseeing his first win in a second-round FA Cup tie against Grimsby Town, Buckingham saw his side edge out Forest Green Rovers to advance to the last 16 of the EFL Trophy.

While the U's manager has enjoyed success in the cup competitions, his wait for a league win was prolonged by a heavy 3-0 defeat to Peterborough United at the weekend, causing them to drop from third to sixth position.

Having failed to score in any of their three league games under Buckingham, Oxford will be desperate to offer an improvement in the final third when they face Reading in a competitive game for the first time since August 2004.

Reading League One form:


Reading form (all competitions):


Oxford United League One form:


Oxford United form (all competitions):



Team News

Southampton manager Ruben Selles pictured on April 21, 2023© Reuters

Reading are still without the services of defender Tom McIntyre, who has not featured since September due to injury.

Selles is hopeful that Jeriel Dorsett will be fit for Tuesday's contest after missing the club's last four competitive matches.

After finding the net at the weekend, Knibbs will look to add to his four-goal league tally when he starts up front alongside Sam Smith.

As for the visitors, Marcus Browne and Kyle Edwards remain sidelined with hamstring injuries, while Sam Long is ruled out due to an ankle problem.

Stephan Negru is also a doubt after he missed the defeat to Peterborough with an injury that he sustained in last Tuesday's EFL Trophy win over Forest Green Rovers.

After being introduced as a half-time substitute at the weekend, Josh Murphy could be given the chance to make his first league start of the season.


Reading possible starting lineup:
Button; Yiadom, Bindon, Abbey, Dorsett; Azeez, Craig, Wing, Mukairu; Smith, Knibbs

Oxford United possible starting lineup:
Beadle; Stevens, Moore, Thorniley; Brown; Brannagan, McGuane; Murphy, Rodrigues, Bodin; Harris


SM words green background

We say: Reading 1-2 Oxford United

Although the U's have failed to win any of their opening three league games under Buckingham, we think that they will have the extra quality required to beat a Reading side that are languishing in the relegation zone.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


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Game History

How you voted: Reading vs Oxford Utd

Reading
33.3%
Draw
4.8%
Oxford United
61.9%
21
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14Bristol Rovers155371621-518
15Stevenage155371116-518
16Northampton TownNorthampton154561821-317
17Rotherham UnitedRotherham154561418-417
18Blackpool154562128-717
19Wigan AthleticWigan143561212014
20Leyton Orient144281418-414
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22Cambridge UnitedCambridge143291324-1111
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