The Second Round of the FA Cup can throw together some interesting ties and this one has League One Reading hosting non-league Southern Division Harborough Town as the minnows look to cause an upset.
FA Cup
Our Three Predictions For Reading v Harborough Town
- Prediction 1 – Reading To Win – 1/20
- Prediction 2 – Harborough Town To Win – 19/1
- Prediction 3 – Both Teams To Score – Yes – 38/25
First Prediction For Reading v Harborough Town – Reading To Win 1/20
The magic of the FA Cup may lose its sparkle and shine in the tie as Reading should have too much for the Tier 7 opponents Harborough Town. The hosts have not lost a game at home since September 14, a 1-0 reverse to Leyton Orient, they have won all other eight games across all competitions. A remarkable record which non-league opposition will be wary of. On the flip side Harborough Town have only won twice on the road this season, one of those being the First Round of the FA Cup, a 4-1 win at Tonbridge Angels, the other was by way of the same scoreline, so when they do win they do so in style. This though should be a home banker for the League One side as they avoid any banana skin talk.
Second Prediction For Reading v Harborough Town – Harborough Town To Win – 19/1
This does seem extreme in the fact that the form of both, especially home and away, would point to anything but a win for the visitors. It is well known though that the FA Cup is a great leveller and always seems to throw up an upset or two where non-league teams are concerned. This then is as good as any tie in this round to provide that upset. Harborough Town are the lowest ranked team left in the competition this year, and that underdog spirit will come to the fore as they aim to snatch an improbable victory. Their first round win was emphatic, 4-1 away, and though the score might not replicate that they will try and score early to rattle their hosts on Sunday.
Third Prediction For Reading v Harborough Town – Both Teams To Score – Yes – 38/25
This seems a very safe bet as Harborough Town will come out firing and want to get an early goal to upset Reading, and set in some doubts. They are no strangers in front of goal having grabbed 10 in their last five games, and could well keep that average up in their aim to unsettle the League One outfit. Reading too are not goal shy. Since beating Fleetwood 2-0 in the last round they have scored eight in five games, but their home goal tally is very impressive having scored 13 since the start of October.
Best Odds For Reading v Harborough Town
| Bookmaker | Reading Win | Draw | Harborough Town Win |
| MyriadPlay | 1/20 | 44/5 | 19/1 |
| GentlemanJim | 1/11 | 9/1 | 25/1 |
| Betarno | 7/100 | 10/1 | 20/1 |
Full Preview Of The Game: Last Results And Head To Head
Ruben Selles has his team keeping pace with the big spenders in League One and sit just outside the playoff places in seventh. This though presents a different challenge altogether. Reading will be well aware of the huge potential upset they are facing so will be well prepared, and Selles will be guarded against any complacency. Star midfielder Lewis Wing will be the man that Harborough Town aim to stop, his play so far has been one of the main reasons Reading are as high as they are, along with Sam Smith’s seven goals. If those two hit top form it could be a long afternoon for the non-league outfit, but a great one for the home fans.
Harborough Town will view this as a game that is a free hit. They are struggling for consistent results in the Southern League, but the FA Cup is something they will embrace and give it their everything. Mitch Austin has caused some waves with his playing style, but for now it has seen him get this far in the competition with wins Darlaston Town, Stourbridge, Leamington, and Bury before their demolition of Tonbridge. Over 3,000 fans will follow the team and hope that the likes of Ben Stephens, and Josh Walsh will be among the goals and heroes when they leave the pitch around 4pm on Sunday.
ConfrontationLast Results - Reading
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Where To Watch Reading v Harborough Town
- Location: Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading, Berkshire
- Date And Time: 1 December, 2pm
- TV Channel: This game is not due to be televised live
Probable Lineups For Reading v Harborough Town
Probable Lineup For Reading
Team: Pereira; Craig. Holzman, Bindon, Dorsett; Elliott. Wing, Savage; Campbell, Smith, Knibbs
Manager: Ruben Selles
Probable Lineup For Harborough Town
Team: Taylor; Cooper, Sandhu, Dolman, Starkie; Morris, Kennedy, Walsh, O’Sullivan; Stephens, Rose
Manager: Mitch Austin
Media Centre: News About Reading v Harborough Town
https://twitter.com/HarbTownFC
