Reading FC vs Peterborough United Match Preview

Reading FC vs Peterborough United Match Preview

Saturday 28th March 2025, 3pm kick-off – SCL Stadium

Those who do not know us, I am William, aged 10 and I’ve supported Reading all my life, my dad also works on this site and has supported Reading FC since the 1970’s (yes he is that old!). I’ve been going to the SCL Stadium with my dad since I was 6 months told, and this game feels big. No only with the genuine concern that this could be one of the last home games Reading FC may flay following the off the field situation, but also we are so close to the playoff places, a win could push us back in the mix.

We’re unbeaten in 10, we’re two points off the play-offs, and there are just nine games left. It’s time to go all-in.

Saturday’s match against Peterborough United isn’t just another game – it’s the start of the run-in. And if we want to be in the top six come May, we need three points. Simple.

Here’s everything you need to know if you’re heading to the ground, watching from home, or just want to argue about football at school on Monday.

Where We’re At

• We’re 9th in League One

• Just two points off the top six

• We’ve got 59 points from 37 games

• At home, we’ve been brilliant – unbeaten in 7

• Our last defeat? Ages ago – 10 matches back

• Win this and we could jump to 6th, depending on other results

This team’s got something. We’re solid, we’ve got threats up top, and we’ve started believing we can win games. The vibes are back.

Last Time Out

Back in December, we went to London Road and beat them 2-1.

Harvey Knibbs scored twice. It was raining loads, but it didn’t matter – we looked proper dangerous.

They pulled one back in the 96th minute and made it nervy, but we held on. That was our first win there in over 20 years.

Let’s do the double.

Peterborough United – The Opponents

They’re 15th, but don’t let that fool you.

• They’re unbeaten in their last 7

• They’ve picked up 11 points from their last 5 games

• Just smashed Charlton 3-0 last weekend

• Into the EFL Trophy Final at Wembley

• Darren Ferguson’s their manager (again!) – Sir Alex’s son

They didn’t start the season great, but after January, they’ve turned it around. This isn’t the time to underestimate them.

Posh Danger Men

Malik Mothersille (No. 19)

• 11 goals, 7 assists this season

• Fast, tricky, and proper dangerous

• Played nearly every game

• Got an assist and goal last week

• Was at Chelsea as a kid – you can see the class

Kwame Poku

• 10 goals, 6 assists

• Plays out wide, always looking to cut in

• Loves a shot from the edge of the box

Ricky Jade-Jones

• 8 goals this season

• Quick and direct – likes running in behind

These three are the biggest threat. Our defence needs to be sharp.

The Gaffer – Darren Ferguson

Sir Alex Fergerson (legend of Manchester United), son, Darren Ferguson’s is back at Peterborough for the fourth time. Mental.

He’s taken them up a few times, won the EFL Trophy last season, and they’ve backed him again with a new deal.

He’s been around loads – having previously managed Preston, Doncaster, and obviously Posh (three times before).

He likes his teams to attack, press, and keep the ball. Saturday should be a proper open game.

Form Guide – Reading

• Unbeaten in 10 games

• Unbeaten at home in 7

• 2 wins, 3 draws from our last 5

• BTTS (Both Teams to Score) happened in 3 of our last 5

• 6 goals scored in last 5 games

We’re solid at the back at home. Just 24 goals conceded at the SCL all season.

Form Guide – Peterborough United

• Unbeaten in 7

• 3 wins from last 5

• BTTS only happened in 2 of those

• 8 goals scored in last 5

• Away form: unbeaten in 4

They’ve been nicking points everywhere lately. They even beat their rivals Cambridge away.

League One Table (Top 10)

We’ve got a game in hand over Leyton Orient. We win this, and we could move into the top six. It’s that tight.

Reading – Key Players

Harvey Knibbs (No. 7)

• 12 goals this season

• Scored twice vs Posh in December

• Always gets into good positions

• Quick and brave in the box

Lewis Wing

• 5 goals

• Proper engine in midfield

• Can hit a shot from range, and usually only scores worldys.

Charlie Savage

• 4 goals

• Good on the ball, works hard

• Loves a tackle too – like his dad Robbie

Kelvin Ehibhaimha

• 3 goals, 5 yellow cards

• Physical, likes to drive forward

• Bit of a wildcard – but that’s why we love him

Discipline Watch

Reading Players on Thin Ice:

• Lewis Wing – 5 yellows

• Charlie Savage – 5 yellows

• Kelvin Ehibhaimha – 5 yellows

• Andre Garcia – 4 yellows

Peterborough Naughty List:

• Emmanuel Fernandez – 11 yellows

• Hector Kyprianou – 7 yellows

• Archie Collins – 6 yellows

• Sam Curtis – 5 yellows

Expect some cards flying around if this gets spicy.

Ref Watch – Adam Herczeg

• Reffed 30 games this season

• Given out 108 yellows and 4 reds

• 5 penalties awarded

• Reffed us twice before:

  • Lincoln away (we lost 2-0 and had a red card)

  • Bristol Rovers at home (1-1 draw, no cards)

Assistant Referee 1 – Damith Bandara

Assistant Referee 2 – Ceri Williams

Fourth Official – Alan Dale

So… mixed record. Let’s hope he stays out the way and just lets us play.

What They’re Saying

Darren Ferguson (Peterborough boss)
“Reading have been really good. I thought Ruben Selles did an amazing job and Noel Hunt’s made them even better.”

“They’re dangerous. Quick players, good movement. One of the best front fours in the league.”

Noel Hunt (Reading manager)
“They don’t sit back. They’ll come at us – and we’re ready. Their front four is quick, but we know what we’ve got to do.”

My Dad
“I’ve been watching Reading since they were at Elm Park. These lads now remind me of the 2012 team – hungry, fit, and not scared of anyone.”

Key Match-Ups

• Knibbs vs Fernandez – Can our top scorer get the better of Posh’s most booked defender?

• Wing vs Kyprianou – Midfield battle. Who wins the second balls?

• Ehibhaimha vs Poku – Power vs pace. Proper duel.

What We Need

• Fast start – get the fans going

• Stay compact – don’t let Posh hit us on the break

• Use the wings – we’ve got pace, let’s use it

• Finish our chances – no messing about in front of goal

Prediction

I think it’ll be tight. We’re strong at home, but they’ve got goals in them too.

I’m going 2-1 Reading, with my dad the same.

Knibbs to score again, and maybe a late goal from Wing to win it.

What do you reckon?

Final Thoughts

There’s only nine games left. Every point matters.

We’re at home. We’re unbeaten in ten. We’ve got goals in the team. And most importantly – we believe.

The team and staff who has worked hard during all this back room uncertainty need you now more than ever. This team is making us dream again. Let’s back them on Saturday and make the SCL bounce, we need every seat to be sold to show potential owners on what we are all about.

Up the Ding and Come on you Royals!