When : Tuesday March 10 2026, 7.45pm
Where : Field Mill (One Call Stadium), Quarry Lane, Mansfield, NG18 5DA
Capacity : 24,161
And now to Mansfield to collect the fall out after Arsenal finished the Stags superb FA Cup run. Annoyingly Mansfield played rather well so will be bubbling with confidence topped with a hefty dose, from Nigel Clough, of the importance of the league and “it all counts for nothing if you can’t beat Reading”.
Mansfield have not been particularly brilliant in the league but now that the cup distraction has passed they may well find they can produce some of their cup form in the remaining league games.
The Stags league form is especially poor with just 6 draws to show from the last 9 games. Their last league victory was at home v Port Vale in mid January so we all know what that can mean when Reading become the next fixture. To help promote an appearance from the charity boys this is also Reading’s remaining game in hand so gaining a collection of points here would be extremely beneficial to the league position as the likes of Stockport, Huddersfield and Wycombe aren’t playing.
After their superb cup run though Mansfield have something to build on and will be looking to get off to a good start to boost confidence and prove the league form can be turned around. It’s therefore fairly essential that Reading start well any try and put a spanner or two into the Mansfield works as soon as possible.
What threat Mansfield have is in the forward line with Will Evans, Rhys Oates and Tyler Roberts giving a good return plus one time Reading rumour Victor Adeboyejo starting to settle in after his January move from Bolton Wanderers.
Reading’s injury problems are well known (no Marriott, Keane, Kyerewaa, Young, Nyambe, Elliott etc.) so would expect a similar variation to the team fielded at Kenilworth Road. Leam Richardson should be available again to prowl the technical area after completing a touchline ban.
Both teams had difficult tiring games this weekend so don’t think the game will be much as a spectacle with both teams trying to be “safe” in the first part. However a win for Reading in this will lift the Biscuiteers up to 5th in the table, ahead of both Huddersfield and Stockport with a difficult visit from the ever improving Plymouth next Saturday to try and capitalise things on. Lose and, with Stevenage playing at home to Leyton Orient, Reading will be as far away from the play offs as ever.
Referee
“The” Thomas “Alan” Parsons “Project”
Previously
29 Nov 25 > Blackpool 1-4 Reading
30 Aug 25 > Reading 1-0 Port Vale
15 Feb 25 > Reading 2-1 Rotherham United
29 Oct 24 > Stockport County 4-1 Reading
29 Mar 24 > Reading 1-0 Northampton Town
Historically
Reading have a poorish record at Field Mill having managed just 3 wins from the previous 25 visits. However last season’s incredible 5-1 win is something to build on so let’s hope we can get a bit of a run going there.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket and travel to the Mad Stad
- Sky red button/NOW App
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use a RoyalTV subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)