Match Preview: Reading FC vs Exeter City

Fixture Details:

• Match: Reading FC vs Exeter City
• Date: Tuesday 3rd March 2025
• Kick-Off Time: 19:45 GMT
• Venue: Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading
• Competition: EFL League One

Current League Standings

Heading into their upcoming fixture, Reading sit in 9th place having accumulated 53 points from 33 games. With 15 wins under their belt, the Royals have managed a positive goal difference (+4) from 48 goals scored and 44 conceded. Exeter, on the other hand, occupy 19th position on 36 points from 32 matches. Their 10 victories this season have been offset by 16 losses, leaving them with a goal difference of -15 and in need of a strong run to climb the table. I can see that this could be a tough game as Exeter will be fighting for every point.

Form Guide

Reading FC: Last 5 Matches

Reading have have only been beaten once in their last five matches. They narrowly lost against Wycombe Wanderers, bounced back with a close victory over Barnsley, drew against Bolton Wanderers, secured a 1-0 win against Blackpool, and most recently shared the points with Lincoln City.

• ⚫ Loss vs Wycombe Wanderers (0-1)
• ✅ Win vs Barnsley (2-1)
• ⚪ Draw vs Bolton Wanderers (1-1)
• ✅ Win vs Blackpool (1-0)
• ⚪ Draw vs Lincoln City (1-1)

Reading FC: Home Form

Reading have been a formidable force on home turf this season, boasting an impressive record of 11 wins, 2 draws, and just 3 defeats from 16 matches. They have scored 28 goals while conceding 14, leading to a healthy +14 goal difference and an average of 2.19 points per game (PPG). Their last five home outings—reflected in the table below—further underline their consistency and the challenge they pose to visiting sides.

Exeter City: Last 5 Matches

Exeter’s last five matches show a tougher run of form, recording one win, one draw, and three losses. After a home defeat to Charlton Athletic, they earned a 1-1 draw with Rotherham United but then fell to Leyton Orient. They notched a valuable win against Peterborough United before suffering a narrow loss to Barnsley.

• ⚫ Loss vs Charlton Athletic (1-3)
• ⚪ Draw vs Rotherham United (1-1)
• ⚫ Loss vs Leyton Orient (0-2)
• ✅ Win vs Peterborough United (2-1)
• ⚫ Loss vs Barnsley (0-1)

Exeter City: Away Form

Exeter City have had mixed fortunes this season, showing moderate resilience at home but struggling to replicate that same level of performance on their travels. At St James Park, they have managed five wins and four draws from sixteen matches, scoring 22 times whilst conceding 27. However, their away form has proven more challenging with nine defeats already recorded, a negative goal difference of -10, and an average of 1.06 points per game—an area they will be looking to improve if they are to climb the league standings.

Head-to-Head Record

Reading and Exeter have faced each other four times in recent seasons, with Reading emerging victorious in three of those encounters. Their most recent meeting was a closely contested 3–2 win for Reading. Earlier in 2023, Reading ran out 4–1 winners at Exeter, and in 2022 they secured a 2–0 home victory. Exeter’s only triumph during this period came back in 2021, when they defeated Reading 2–1 on home soil. Overall, Reading hold the upper hand in these recent head-to-head fixtures, while Exeter will be aiming to reclaim the advantage in their next match-up.

Key Players to Watch

Reading FC

Reading’s attack has been spearheaded by forward Harvey Knibbs, who leads the club’s scoring charts with 11 goals so far this season. Knibbs has also contributed two assists to his teammates, proving himself a reliable and versatile attacking threat. In midfield, Charlie Savage has offered creativity as well as an eye for goal, chipping in with four goals and five assists. This partnership between a prolific forward and a goal-producing midfielder has been central to Reading’s positive results and could pose a real challenge to their opponents.

Exeter City

Exeter, meanwhile, have found a dependable source of goals in Millenic Alli, who has notched nine strikes, albeit without registering an assist. Up front, Josh Magennis has netted five times and provided three assists, offering a slightly broader contribution to the team’s forward play. As Exeter look to climb the league table, they’ll be hoping Alli and Magennis can maintain or even improve their output to secure much-needed points against a strong Reading side.Exeter, meanwhile, have found a dependable source of goals in Millenic Alli, who has notched nine strikes, albeit without registering an assist. Up front, Josh Magennis has netted five times and provided three assists, offering a slightly broader contribution to the team’s forward play. As Exeter look to climb the league table, they’ll be hoping Alli and Magennis can maintain or even improve their output to secure much-needed points against a strong Reading side.

New Player Watch

Reading Football Club were pleased to confirm the signing of midfielder Tom Carroll on a short-term contract until the end of the 2024/25 season yesterday, with hope that he can play some part in the match against Exeter, even if it is to impact from the bench. Carroll joins the Royals for their final 13 Sky Bet League One fixtures of this campaign. Manager Noel Hunt expressed his excitement, emphasising Carroll’s extensive experience across the EFL and Premier League, as well as his strong character—qualities Hunt believes will strengthen the squad in these crucial closing stages. Tom has already been training with Reading from the back end of last week.

Carroll’s career began in Tottenham Hotspur’s youth setup, signing professional terms with Spurs in 2010. He gained early first-team exposure on loan at Leyton Orient before making his senior debut for Tottenham in Europa League competition. Subsequent loan spells at Derby County and QPR provided further experience; he helped QPR earn promotion to the Premier League before heading to Swansea City on loan, where he contributed to an eighth-place top-flight finish. Carroll went on to score his first Spurs goal in the Europa League and added a Premier League goal to his name soon after. Limited opportunities at Tottenham led to a permanent switch to Swansea City in 2017, followed by a short spell at Aston Villa and permanent moves to QPR, Ipswich Town, and Exeter City. Most recently, Carroll spent the first half of this season with MK Dons, making 16 appearances and registering two assists, before penning his new deal at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Prediction & Final Thoughts

• 🔹 Junior Royals Reporter Prediction: Reading 2-1 Exeter City
• 🔸 Dad’s Prediction: Reading 3-1 Exeter City

Reading’s strong home form and Exeter’s struggles on the road make the Royals favourites. A win for the Royals could see them move to 7th place (unless Reading win by more than 10 goals, meaning that they could jump Charlton in 6th on goal difference). However, Exeter’s late-goal potential means Reading’s defence must remain focused for the entire match. Exeter will be fighting for every ball and every point, and so I can see this game being harder than it looks on paper.

🏟️ Fans, make sure to show up and back the boys! Come on URZZZ!