When : Saturday February 28 2026, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
Bradford next and Graham Alexander's troops are equal 3rd, 10 points ahead of Reading. Of course if Reading hadn't been trying to invoke the spirit of the Alamo for some unfathomable reason in the last couple games, the chances are that the gap would be 6 points and Reading too would be in the play off places.
Despite the unmitigated failure of these attempts though there really should not be much to be had between these two sides on the day not least because Bradford are on a run of 4 successive away league defeats (the last win on the road was 2-1 at Blackpool in early January) so while this sort of run increases the likelihood of another visit from the charity boys there is at least the possibility of something to capitalise on, particularly if Reading can produce the proverbial "**** 'em up" and "get into them" performance right from the off.
The Bantams overall form since the last time they drew a game (22nd November) is played 18, won 10 and lost 8, while over the last 6 it's won 4 and lost 2. It should a good thing that Bradford played (& beat
) Rotherham on Tuesday but as Reading seem to struggle badly whenever they have more than a 2/3 days away from a competitive game I'm not convinced that fact will work in the club's favour (again!).Midfielder Antoni Sarcevic is their big threat as he seems get involved in virtually every scoring move Bradford make. He is also joint top scorer on 8 goals with forward Bobby Pointon. Stephen Humphrys and Will Swann are equally potent strikers with 11 goals between them so this is going to be a very active opponent with plenty of options to keep Reading's defensive game management on red alert.
In addition to the obvious threat there's the former Reading connection, while Tom McIntyre's loan has now finished and the player departed, Reading will still have to face former goalkeeper Sam Walker who has been pretty much ever present all season (32 appearances) and will no doubt be in the form of his life on Saturday!
Say hello too, to some old "friends" from Wigan and Stoke encounters; captain Max Power (currently the most carded player in the division this season (11 yellows)) and Nick Powell will both be wanting to remind us what they can do and Oxf*rd loanee Louie Sibley will no doubt also be charged up for the game. Also known to Leam from his time at Wigan is defender - and one time Reading rumour - Curtis Tilt.
Bradford signalled intent in January that they mean to take their promotion bid to the very end of the season with the permanent acquisitions of Lee Evans (midfielder) from Blackpool and forward Kayden Jackson from Derby in addition to completely filling their loan allowance with 5 new faces; Paul Mullin (Wrexham), Louie Sibley (Oxf*rd), Harrison Ashby, Joe White (both Newcastle) and Ethan Wheatley (Man Utd).
Lewis Richards and Kayden Jackson are both Bradford doubts while Reading are suffering with no Kyerewaa or Roberts and Keane having gone missing again after managing a few minutes against Bolton. Whether there's any further injury reactions to the Vale shambles remains to be seen, but there should be enough talent in the remaining squad to, at the very least, make a game of things.
Referee
Ben “call me David” Speedie
Previously
06 Nov 25 > Reading 1-0 Stevenage
18 Apr 25 > Reading 0-1 Lincoln City
27 Apr 24 > Reading 3-2 Blackpool
16 Mar 24 > Reading 4-0 Cambridge United
15 Aug 23 > Reading 1-0 Cheltenham
Historically
To be honest, I really wouldn't bother with this one. Reading's league record at home to Bradford City is utter kak. Since 1983 Reading and Bradford have played 16 games in Reading and Reading have won just 3 - and 2 of those were cup games!
Of the 12 league games at home the only win was by 1-0 in October 2002, nearly every other league game here has resulted either some sort of depressing draw or cr@ppy home defeat - including the first in the run where the main Bradford tactic seemed to be to bang the ball out to the wing there the seeming giant, Ian Ormondroyd, simply headed it over as a cross.
Therefore Leam's approach should be to wind the players up into believing it's cup game, at least there might be a better chance of a win. Failing that, the fact that Bradford haven't had one since November should really boost the chances of yet another depressing draw.
How to follow the game
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use an RoyalTV subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
- Or you can always just go and get a ticket
