Reading are still harbouring hopes of a late playoff push and will have to be at their best in this League One match. They host one of the most in-form teams in all the EFL, Birmingham City, who have just booked a place in a Wembley final.
League One
Our Three Predictions For Reading v Birmingham City
- Prediction 1 – Birmingham City To Win – 9/25
- Prediction 2 – Both Teams To Score – Yes – 83/100
- Prediction 3 – Over 2.5 Goals Scored – 33/50
First Prediction For Reading v Birmingham City – Birmingham City To Win – 9/25
Birmingham City are looking a certainty for promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt. They are on a four game win streak, and it is hard to see them slipping up in this match. Away from home they have won four of the last five, they odd one out was a 1-1 draw at Wrexham. The last two wins have been 1-0, so they are not having it all their own way on the road, but will take another similar result as they edge closer to promotion. Reading are not going to roll over and their home form is the third best in the division, and have outscored opponents 28-14 on home turf. Their opponents are on such a roll now, that the momentum will be hard to stop.
Second Prediction For Reading v Birmingham City – Both Teams To Score – Yes – 83/100
Reading have been a little inconsistent getting on the scoresheet recently, but more so away. At home, as they are in this game, they have racked up an impressive 28 goals in 15 games. They have not been kept scoreless at home since December 14, and scored 12 times in seven games since then, with only two defeats. They should be attack minded in this game as that could be the only way to upset their visitors. The Blues will come in to this match full of confidence, and have scored in every away game since October 5, a run of 16 games. The second best away record in League One has seen them score 24 times in 14 matches.
Third Prediction For Reading v Birmingham City – Over 2.5 Goals Scored – 33/50
Birmingham have only scored one goal in each of their last three games on the road, and even though they have not lost any of those, they may need to pick up that average if they are to claim all three points. They are though, flying high at the top of the league, and full of confidence having won a place in a Wembley cup final this past week. Scoring 51 goals in total across their 29 games, is not a huge amount for a team that is running away with the league, but the scoring is consistent. Reading have conceded 43 goals, but only 14 of those at home This though could be the game where they succumb to a big score, but the feeling is they can push City all the way and therefore produce a high scoring match.
Best Odds For Reading v Birmingham City
| Bookmaker | Reading Win | Draw | Birmingham Win |
| MyriadPlay | 5/1 | 333/100 | 9/25 |
| GentlemanJim | 11/2 | 10/3 | 2/5 |
| Betarno | 53/10 | 16/5 | 39/100 |
Full Preview Of The Game: Last Results And Head To Head
Harvey Knibbs has been in outstanding form this season, his 11 goals and two assists have helped keep Reading in with a chance of a late playoff push. Noel Hunt will want to keep his top scorer fit and healthy for the run in and this game could be one where Knibbs and the Reading side really show their potential. Lewis Wing though, has been the real standout player in midfield and has chipped in with his own tally of four goals, and five assists. He will be key if this game has an upset, and for any promotion dream to become reality. At the back Portuguese goalkeeper Joel Pereira has been very reliable, and with Tyler Bindon and Amadou Mbengue ahead of him, it is easy to see why Reading are a tough team to breakdown at home.
It is hard to put into words just how good Birmingham City are right now. They are managing to see out games with relative ease, although not every game will show their dominance. It is not easy to play as the team to beat every week, but that is credit to Chris Davies and his staff for not letting his players get complacent. Top scorer Jay Stansfield, with 16 goals, could be out for a while after suffering an injury in the midweek EFL Trophy win that saw The Blues reach Wembley. His likely replacement, Lyndon Dykes, will add a fresh dimension to the attack, but the Scottish striker is more than capable of picking up where Stansfield left off. Ben Davies leads a defence that has been rock solid all season, and alongside Ethan Laird, Alex Cochrane, and Christoph Klarer they have formed a formidable back line.
Confrontation22/02/2025 League One League One 
Reading 
Birmingham City 0 0 10/08/2024 League One League One
Birmingham City
Reading 1 1 07/04/2023 Championship Championship
Reading
Birmingham City 1 1 16/12/2022 Championship Championship
Birmingham City
Reading 3 2 Last Results - Reading
|
Where To Watch Reading v Birmingham City
- Location: Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading, Berkshire
- Date And Time: February 22, 12.30pm
- TV Channel: This match will be televised live on Sky Sports+
Probable Lineups For Reading v Birmingham City
Probable Lineup For Reading
Team: Pereira; Garcia, Bindon, Mbengue, Craig; Savage, Wing, Knibbs; Ehibhatiomhan, Wareham, Campbell
Manager: Noel Hunt
Probable Lineup For Birmingham City
Team: Allsop; Cochrane, Davies, Klarer, Laird; Iwata, Seung-Ho; Anderson, Willumsson, Dowell; Dykes
Manager: Chris Davies
Media Centre: News About Reading v Birmingham City
