Reading go to Oxford tonight knowing a win would lift them to third
Wednesday 4 November 2026 · By Brenda Ollivant
Reading travel to Oxford United tonight, Wednesday 4 November, for a 19:45 GMT kick-off at the Kassam Stadium. This is a preview, written before the game was played, so it does not include a result. The table positions below are going into the game and could change tonight.
The BBC table, last updated at 09:22 GMT on Wednesday, has Leam Richardson’s side sixth on 22 points from 13 games, level on points with seventh-placed Bradford City and ahead of them on goal difference, plus 12 to plus two. Oxford are fourth on 23 points from 12 games. League One’s top two go up automatically and third to sixth go into the play-offs.
A Reading win would take them to 25 points and third place. A draw would leave them on 23, level with Plymouth Argyle and ahead of them on goal difference. A defeat would leave them on 22, still level with Bradford.
Reading’s last six league games read D W L W W D in the BBC form guide, which means three wins, two draws and a defeat. Their most recent game was Saturday’s goalless draw at Plymouth.
There is good news on the team front. Oxford’s preview and the Oxford Mail both report that Marriott, who has eight league goals this season, is available and in contention to start. Lane is out, and the Oxford Mail says he faces several months on the sidelines. Ward and Earthy are also out, for what the reports describe as a few weeks. Oxford’s preview also says Charlie Savage is pushing to start.
We have not found a new sourced quote from Richardson before the game.
Oxford are unbeaten in nine league games, according to their club, and will be without their suspended goalkeeper Jamie Cumming. The club says Eastwood is likely to start in his place.
After tonight, Reading face a cup tie with a family twist. They visit Peterborough United in the FA Cup first round on Saturday 7 November at 20:00 GMT, live on TNT Sports 1. Peterborough’s manager is Robbie Savage, Charlie’s father. Peterborough Today reported that Robbie Savage called it a proud day for his family and said he wants his son to be on the losing side.
Reading then visit Bristol Rovers in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy on Tuesday 10 November at 19:00.
League football continues with a trip to second-placed Stockport County on Saturday 14 November at 15:00, followed by a home game with Bromley on Saturday 21 November at 12:30.
Reading have scored 25 league goals and conceded 13, and their goal difference of plus 12 is level with Stockport’s. That record is why a win tonight could take them as high as third.
Whatever happens at the Kassam, the next ten days bring three away games in three competitions, and Richardson will have Marriott back to call on. We will update this page once the result is confirmed.
The Madejski Stadium — officially the Select Car Leasing Stadium — is Reading Football Club’s home by Junction 11 of the M4. Opened in 1998 after the move from Elm Park, it is a compact all-seater bowl of 24,161. Three sides are single-tier; the West Stand is two-tiered and holds the tunnel, dugouts and hospitality. Visiting supporters almost always sit in the South Stand, behind the goal, with a usual allocation of about 2,100–2,300 that can rise towards 4,300 when demand is high.
Check your ticket for the exact block. Standard away seating is R30–R32 in the South Stand, nearest the West Stand. Larger allocations can add GU1–GU3 in the upper West corner. Enter at Gate 10 for the South Stand, or Gate 11 if you are in the upper West. Wheelchair users also use Gate 10; accessible bays sit in R30–R32. Turnstiles usually open 90 minutes before kick-off. Stewards in blue jackets will point you to your block if the signs are unclear.
The stadium sits south of the town, not in a pub-heavy neighbourhood. The Fan Zone outside the Sir John Madejski (East) Stand opens about 90 minutes before kick-off and is generally open to visiting fans as well as home supporters. Expect a large screen, food and drink, and a chance to settle before you walk round to the away gates. Inside, concourse kiosks open at the same time and close after half-time. Prices are typical of the Championship; cashless payment is common. There is a family area in the visiting end — no adult without a child, and no child without an adult — if your club has sold tickets there.
By car the postcode RG2 0FL (or RG2 0GH for the stadium car parks) takes you to the site. Matchday parking on site is limited and often prioritised for disabled supporters and families with young children, so book early if it is offered. Many away coaches are directed to a designated coach park; follow police and club signage rather than improvising a drop-off. Reading station is about three miles north. On most match days a shuttle bus runs between the station and the ground; allow extra time after full-time when queues build.
The bowl is steep enough that views from the South Stand are good, with decent leg room for a 1990s build. You sit close to the pitch. A video screen sits in the south-east corner above the away section. The ground is all-seated and you are expected to remain seated during play. Acoustics are better than many new grounds, so a noisy away following carries. Home noise often comes from the East Stand and from Club 1871 in the remainder of the South Stand, which uses a safe-standing style area on the home side of that end.
The North Stand is the Eamonn Dolan Stand, named after the late academy manager, and is the main home end with the Fun Zone behind it for younger Royals. The West Stand faces the hotel that is built onto the stadium. Dugouts sit in front of the West Stand, so the goals are correctly placed: one in front of the Eamonn Dolan Stand, the other in front of the South Stand where you will be. After the final whistle, away supporters are usually held briefly. Follow stewards to coaches or the shuttle rather than cutting across home exits. Keep an eye on the club’s visiting supporters guide for the specific fixture, as allocation and gate numbers can change with demand.