Reading FC vs Cardiff City FC, League One 2025-26 REGULAR SEASON
Overview
Match Preview
Reading FC vs Cardiff City FC — League One at Select Car Leasing Stadium.
- Reading FC 15 games · 22 pts (2026/27)
- Cardiff City FC 46 games · 91 pts (2026/27)
Match Details
- Referee Matthew Corlett (England)
- Assistant 1 Jack Clench (England)
- Assistant 2 Ross Murphy (England)
4 games this season
🟨 3.5/game
⚽ 11.3 goals/game
Standings
| # | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huddersfield Town AFC | 14 | 29 |
| 2 | Stockport County FC | 15 | 29 |
| 3 | Oxford United FC | 13 | 26 |
| 4 | Luton Town FC | 14 | 24 |
| 5 | Sheffield Wednesday FC | 14 | 23 |
| 6 | Plymouth Argyle FC | 15 | 23 |
| 7 | Reading FC | 15 | 22 |
| 8 | Bradford City AFC | 13 | 22 |
| 9 | Milton Keynes Dons FC | 14 | 21 |
| 10 | Cambridge United FC | 14 | 21 |
| 11 | Leicester City FC | 13 | 19 |
| 12 | Mansfield Town FC | 13 | 19 |
| 13 | Wycombe Wanderers FC | 13 | 18 |
| 14 | Leyton Orient FC | 13 | 17 |
| 15 | Burton Albion FC | 15 | 17 |
| 16 | Stevenage FC | 12 | 16 |
| 17 | AFC Wimbledon | 14 | 16 |
| 18 | Notts County FC | 12 | 14 |
| 19 | Wigan Athletic FC | 15 | 14 |
| 20 | Blackpool FC | 13 | 12 |
| 21 | Doncaster Rovers FC | 13 | 12 |
| 22 | Peterborough United FC | 13 | 10 |
| 23 | Barnsley FC | 13 | 9 |
| 24 | Bromley FC | 13 | 9 |
Head-to-Head
Recent Form
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Apr | Cardiff City FC | H | 1–3 | L |
| 11 Apr | Doncaster Rovers FC | A | 0–1 | L |
| 06 Apr | Lincoln City FC | H | 1–2 | L |
| 03 Apr | Huddersfield Town AFC | A | 1–1 | D |
| 28 Mar | Wigan Athletic FC | H | 3–0 | W |
| 21 Mar | Stevenage FC | A | 0–1 | L |
| Date | Opponent | H/A | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Apr | Reading FC | A | 3–1 | W |
| 14 Apr | Huddersfield Town AFC | A | 1–1 | D |
| 11 Apr | Bolton Wanderers FC | H | 2–0 | W |
| 06 Apr | Peterborough United FC | A | 1–1 | D |
| 21 Mar | Blackpool FC | H | 0–0 | D |
| 17 Mar | Wycombe Wanderers FC | H | 0–2 | L |
Key Stats
70%
Both Teams to Score
H2H (10 games)
H2H (10 games)
60%
Over 2.5 Goals
H2H history
H2H history
33%
Clean Sheets
Reading FC this season
Reading FC this season
Goal Timing (This Season)
Reading FC
0-15
2/3
16-30
–/–
31-45
7/–
46-60
7/3
61-75
4/4
76+
5/5
■ Scored ■ Conceded
Top Scorers (This Season)
Reading FC
| Jack Marriott | 8 G | |
| Jacob Brown | 4 G | 1 A |
| Kyrell Lisbie | 3 G | 1 A |
| George Earthy | 2 G |
Events
Match Events
- 0' Welcome to Select Car Leasing Stadium that hosts another battle between Reading FC and Cardiff City FC.
- 5' We miss some good tackles and strikes. Is there anyone on the field to put the game back to action?
- 10' Although teams showed high tempo form the start, they seem to slow down a bit. Both sides really need to catch a fire. Otherwise, we have another goalless match.
- 15' The home supporters are growing impatient. Reading FC must find a spark to ignite this game.
- 20' Alex Robertson has been one of the livelier players on the pitch with 0 goals to his name this season.
- 25' The 27-year-old David Turnbull has been sensational this season — 0 goals and 0 assists is a remarkable return.
- 30' A moment of individual brilliance could settle this. Both teams are waiting for that decisive action.
- 35' With 0 assists to his name this season, Dylan Lawlor is clearly more than just a goal scorer for Reading FC.
- 40' Rubin Colwill does the damage! The net is bulging and Cardiff City FC surge ahead!
- 41' The referee reaches into his pocket. Out comes the card for Gabriel Osho.
- 46' The referee has had an easy afternoon — neither side has been overly physical in the tackle.
- 51' Paddy Lane has been disciplined this evening — perhaps mindful of those 21 cards already picked up this season.
- 55' Omari Kellyman does the damage! The net is bulging and Cardiff City FC surge ahead!
- 60' We are waiting for someone to take the initiative. Who will be the first to commit to attack?
- 63' A meaty challenge results in booking for Ryan Wintle on 63.
- 64' Reading FC player sees a card in front of him.
- 67' Cardiff City FC ring the changes. Alex Robertson has done his job and it is now time for David Turnbull to step up.
- 69' Controversy at the stadium! Finley Burns argues furiously but the card stands.
- 72' The referee reaches into his pocket. Out comes the card for Dylan Lawlor.
- 73' A stunning finish from Daniel Kankam Kyerewaa — that came from absolutely nowhere!
- 74' Jack Marriott is ready to make an impact after coming on for Paddy Lane at the 74 minute mark.
- 79' Paudie O'Connor has certainly something to prove this evening. He made 14 appearances with only 1 goals this season.
- 82' A tactical swap from Cardiff City FC — Will Fish on, Dylan Lawlor off on 82 minutes.
- 86' What composure from Perry Ng! The England international strokes it home. 1-3.
- 88' Another change for Reading FC made on 88 minute. Andy Rinomhota leaves to be changed by Liam Fraser.
- 90' Will Fish was booked on 90.
- 90' A tactical swap from Cardiff City FC — Callum Robinson on, Ollie Tanner off on 90 minutes.
- What a match! Full time at {STADIUM} — Reading FC 1-3 Cardiff City FC.
Lineups
Reading FC Lineups
3-4-2-1Starting XI
-
18
Andy Rinomhota ↓ Liam Fraser 88'
- 10
- 15
-
24
Ryan Nyambe ↓ Kelvin Abrefa 88'
- 1
-
5
Haydon Roberts ↓ Matt Ritchie 88'
- 3
-
32
Paddy Lane ↓ Jack Marriott 74'
- 12
- 11
- 9
Bench
-
30
Matt Ritchie ↑ 88'
-
7
Jack Marriott ↑ 74'
-
6
Liam Fraser ↑ 88'
- 22
-
2
Kelvin Abrefa ↑ 88'
- 31
- 57
Coach
Leam Richardson
Cardiff City FC Lineups
4-2-3-1Starting XI
- 38
- 6
- 4
- 13
-
16
Chris Willock ↓ Yousef Salech 82'
- 3
-
10
Rubin Colwill ↓ Joel Colwill 82'
-
18
Alex Robertson ↓ David Turnbull 67'
-
11
Ollie Tanner ↓ Callum Robinson 90'
- 8
-
48
Dylan Lawlor ↓ Will Fish 82'
Bench
-
47
Callum Robinson ↑ 90'
-
14
David Turnbull ↑ 67'
-
22
Yousef Salech ↑ 82'
-
27
Joel Colwill ↑ 82'
-
2
Will Fish ↑ 82'
- 41
- 23
Coach
Brian Barry-Murphy
H2H
H2H Top Scorers
| Player | Goals |
|---|---|
| Lucas Joao | 3 |
| George Puscas | 2 |
| Yakou Meite | 2 |
| Michael Morrison | 1 |
| Daniel Kankam Kyerewaa | 1 |
| Perry Ng | 1 |
| Lee Tomlin | 1 |
| Rubin Colwill | 1 |
Head to Head
Reading FC Form
Cardiff City FC Form
2026-04-18
Reading FC
1–3
Cardiff City FC
W
2026-04-14
Huddersfield Town AFC
1–1
Cardiff City FC
D
2026-04-11
Cardiff City FC
2–0
Bolton Wanderers FC
W
2026-04-06
Peterborough United FC
1–1
Cardiff City FC
D
2026-03-21
Cardiff City FC
0–0
Blackpool FC
D
2026-03-17
Cardiff City FC
0–2
Wycombe Wanderers FC
L
Predictions
Prediction accuracy
3 / 4
1.24
Reading FC xG
Expected Goals
Dixon-Coles · Bivariate Poisson · Neg. Binomial · Elo
1.49
Cardiff City FC xG
I would bet for:
Reading FC or Cardiff City FC 72% + Both teams to score 56%
Match Result
✓ CorrectActual: Cardiff City FC win
Both Teams to Score
✓ Correct
Avg goals/match: 2.73
Actual: Yes — both scored
Over / Under Goals
✓ O/U 2.5| Line | Over | Under | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ± 0.5 | 92% |
|
8% |
| ± 1.5 | 76% |
|
24% |
| ± 2.5 | 51% |
|
49% |
| ± 3.5 | 30% |
|
70% |
| ± 4.5 | 15% |
|
85% |
Double Chance
Reading FC or Draw
58%
Draw or Cardiff City FC
70%
Reading FC or Cardiff City FC
72%
Half-Time Result
✗ WrongActual: Cardiff City FC win at HT
Correct Score
✓ In top 12
1 – 1
13%
0 – 1
8.7%
1 – 2
8.6%
0 – 0
8.4%
2 – 1
7.2%
1 – 0
7.1%
0 – 2
7.1%
2 – 2
5.4%
2 – 0
4.9%
1 – 3
Actual
0 – 3
3.4%
3 – 1
3%
Asian Handicap — Reading FC
| Handicap | Reading FC covers | Push | Cardiff City FC covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| -2.5 | 4% | — | 96% |
| -2 | 4% | 9% | 87% |
| -1.5 | 13% | — | 87% |
| -1 | 13% | 17% | 70% |
| -0.5 | 30% | — | 70% |
| +0.5 | 59% | — | 41% |
| +1 | 59% | 21% | 21% |
| +1.5 | 79% | — | 21% |
| +2 | 79% | 13% | 8% |
| +2.5 | 92% | — | 8% |
Clean Sheet
Reading FC keeps clean sheet
23%
✓
Cardiff City FC keeps clean sheet
30%
✓
Predictions are statistical estimates based on season form, H2H history, and a Poisson model. Not financial advice.

