Bristol Rovers host Reading on Saturday in what looks to be a hugely consequential game in both the relegation and play-off pictures in League One as the season comes down to its final two games.
League One
Our 3 predictions for Bristol Rovers vs Reading
- 1st prediction: Reading to win or draw
- 2nd prediction: Over 2.5 goals in the game
- 3rd prediction: Both teams to score
1st prediction for Bristol Rovers vs Reading: Reading to win or draw – 33/100
This is a huge game in both the relegation and play-off fights in League One. Bristol Rovers’ form has suffered badly at just the wrong time which has dragged them right back into the relegation zone with only two games left and no sign of improving quickly enough. Five losses in six mean momentum is against Inigo Calderon’s side and a defeat here could relegate them should Burton’s results, including a game in hand, go against them. They face a Reading side which will be buoyed by their long-awaited takeover being near completion and the potential for a play-off place; Noel Hunt’s side have pushed through adversity this season and done well for a young team who will be well placed to face anything Bristol Rovers throw at them. It’s desperate times for the Gas but it’s hard to see their slump stopping here as they stare a return to League Two in the face.
2nd prediction for Bristol Rovers vs Reading: Over 2.5 goals in the game – 18/25
As much as Bristol Rovers are the underdogs here, it likely won’t be a thrashing. They have home advantage for a crucial game so the crowd will be strongly in their favour, and they will have to fight hard which will mean a gritty performance with not many chances conceded. For all their poor form of late, their games have been close. The last time they lost a game by more than a single goal was back in the middle of March in their 5-0 drubbing by Lincoln City. They will know how hard this game will be but they will take confidence from that – the key is that they stay in the game. Reading are good going forward but a bit shaky and naive at the back owing to their youth; they will have to go for it to pick up their goal difference but this could create opportunities for Rovers to exploit.
3rd prediction for Bristol Rovers v Reading: Both teams to score – 57/100
This is a similar prediction to the previous one. Rovers have been better in front of goal than their current form suggests; it’s their ability to hold on to leads which has let them down and could do so again this weekend, leading to this prediction. Reading are similar at times, but to a lesser extent. A loss for either side would put them at a huge disadvantage going into the last game of the season, and for Bristol Rovers it could even decide their relegation of other results go against them. A loss here wouldn’t end Reading’s play-off hopes but would severely hurt them, especially if Leyton Orient win. Rovers in particular will use the home crowd to their advantage and look to shut up shop if they go a goal ahead, as they simply cannot afford to lose. If they concede first they’ll have to attack, but expect them to win by a single goal if they get all three points.
Best odds for Bristol Rovers vs Reading
| Bookmaker | Bristol Rovers | Draw | Reading |
| MyriadPlay | 7/4 | 23/10 | 6/5 |
| Gentleman Jim | 47/25 | 23/10 | 5/4 |
| Betarno | 93/50 | 221/100 | 59/50 |
Full preview of the game: last results and head to head
This is a huge game for both teams. Bristol Rovers have really struggled in recent months under rookie coach Inigo Calderon, and have slipped dangerously into the relegation zone with only two games to go. If results elsewhere go against them, a loss in this game could relegate them. As for Reading, they’ve worked wonders at a tumultuous time with a young squad. A win here would help their play-off push, though they would require Leyton Orient to drop points for this to happen.
In terms of form coming into this, it couldn’t be more opposite for the two teams. Rovers have lost five of six, losing all five by only a single goal which will have had a huge impact on their morale and belief in their ability to win games and ultimately survive in the division. Reading on the other hand are in decent, if unremarkable form, and are currently outside the play-offs on goal difference only. In their last fixtures, Rovers lost 1-0 at home to Stevenage while Reading come in off the high of a 5-1 thrashing of Mansfield.
Taking fixture history into account, Reading have the upper hand. They’ve won 42 to Luton’s 31, and won the reverse fixture 1-0 in October. In more bad news for Rovers, their record against Reading is woeful, being winless in eight in a record stretching back to 1999. That being said, a relegation fight changes everything, so history will likely go out the window on Saturday.
Confrontation
Where to watch Bristol Rovers vs Reading
This is a huge game in League One which will have huge implications across the table. As a result, it has been selected as part of the EFL TV schedule. Here’s where to watch it.
- Location: Memorial Stadium, Bristol, UK, BS7 0BF
- Channel: Sky Sports Football (subscription required)
- Date and time: 12:30pm UK time, Saturday 26th April 2025
Probable lineups for Bristol Rovers vs Reading
This is an interesting game in terms of team selection. Both sides have plenty to play for and have to go for it, so they’ll pick their best teams. Here’s how we think they’ll line up.
Bristol Rovers
Line up: J Ward, J Hunt, J Wilson, C Taylor, L Thomas, T Moore, R Sawyers, G O’Donkor, K Shaw, R Sotiriou
Injuries/suspensions: K Conteh (injured)
Coach: Inigo Calderon
Reading
Line up: J Pereira, T Rushesha, T Bindon, A Mbengue, A Garcia, L Wing, H Knibbs, C Savage, K Ehibhatiomhan, C Campbell, J Wareham
Injuries/suspensions: None
Coach: Noel Hunt
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