Newly-appointed Reading manager Leam Richardson aims to avoid an FA Cup upset in his first game in charge against Carlisle United at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
FA Cup
Our 3 Predictions For Reading vs Carlisle United:
- 1st Prediction For Reading vs Carlisle United: To Qualify – Reading – 5/12
- 2nd Prediction For Reading vs Carlisle United: Over 2.5 Goals – 4/6
- 3rd Prediction For Reading vs Carlisle United: Both Teams To Score – Yes – 8/13
1st Prediction For Reading vs Carlisle United: To Qualify – Reading – 5/12
Reading are just above the League One relegation places at current, having been tipped to challenge for promotion this season. No side in the third tier have won fewer than their 3 games, though all of their victories have come on home soil. That gives them the 15th-best record in the division, although they are now unbeaten in 5 league games in Berkshire.
Carlisle United will rack up more miles than most in the National League this season, but they are making light work of that challenge thus far. No side in the fifth tier have picked up more points on their travels than the Cumbrian outfit, winning 3 of their last 5 matches. Mark Hughes’ side have won 4 of their 5 matches in October across all competitions.
Although the Blues will be backed in numbers and will be looking to cause a shock, Reading should have just enough quality to see off the Non-League outfit.
2nd Prediction For Reading vs Carlisle United: Over 2.5 Goals – 4/6
Reading’s struggles at home are evidenced in their scoring. Netting just 7 times in as many games leaves them with the sixth-fewest goals on home soil this season. But shipping 7 goals leaves them with a goal difference of 0, meaning the Royals have a better defensive record.
Similarly, Carlisle also have a goal difference of 0, by scoring and conceding 9 times on their travels. But the Cumbrians have the joint second-highest tally across all venues in the National League with 30 goals in 16 games. With rotation likely from both sides, expect this to be a more open contest than any league encounter.
3rd Prediction For Reading vs Carlisle United: Both Teams To Score – Yes – 8/13
Leam Richardson inherits a defence which kept its first clean sheet in League One in almost 2 months against Northampton Town. Only 4 teams have conceded more times across all venues than the Royals 19. So, that will be one of the first areas he will have hoped to improve in training this week, particularly with summer signing Paudie O’Connor back fit.
In 4 of Carlisle’s 5 October games this month, both teams have found the scoresheet, with the only exception being their impressive win at Scunthorpe United. In fact, the Cumbrians have scored in every game this season across all competitions, apart from their 2 losses at the end of September. So, expect both sides to find the scoresheet on Saturday afternoon.
Best Odds For Reading vs Carlisle United
| Bookmaker | Reading | Draw | Carlisle United |
| NRGBet Sports | 4/6 | 13/5 | 31/10 |
| Bet442 Sport | 7/10 | 11/4 | 16/5 |
| 7bet Sports | 3/4 | 14/5 | 10/3 |
The table above shows the latest odds from leading football betting websites.
Full Preview Of The Game: Last Results And Head-To-Head:
Leam Richardson made his return to the top job at Reading on Tuesday, after being out of management for well over a year. League One winners with Wigan Athletic in 2022, that will be the long-term ambition for a Royals side which were tipped to challenge for a Championship return this season. But that’s been far from the case thus far, with Noel Hunt being relieved of his duties on Sunday, with the club sitting in 19th spot.
His reign ended with 4 points from 6 available, as their form began to improve in recent weeks. The former manager also helped put them in a very good position in their EFL Trophy group, waiting on one final result to secure their progress. Returning to league action, the Berkshire outfit face Stevenage on Thursday evening, before a trip to Wigan Athletic, subject to international call-ups, in 2 weeks’ time.
Carlisle United are targeting an immediate return to the Football League this season, after consecutive relegations. And their progress in October has seen them emerge as one of the frontrunners to win the title. Recovering from 2 defeats against fellow promotion-chasers York City and Carlisle United, the Cumbrians have racked up 3 wins from 4 this month.
That includes an impressive victory over another promotion contender, Forest Green Rovers, and putting 5 past Boston United in the FA Cup 4th Round Qualifying to reach this stage. They lock horns with the Pilgrims again in a televised clash towards the end of November, but have 3 games before that. Hosting Halifax on Tuesday evening, a teatime kick-off against Southend United and facing Eastleigh are quickly on the agenda.
This was a League One meeting as recently as the 23/24 season, ending the 41-year wait without locking horns. Reading eased to a double over the Cumbrians with a combined 8-1 victory.
Confrontation02/03/2024 League One League One 
Carlisle United 
Reading 1 3 28/11/2023 League One League One
Reading
Carlisle United 5 1 Last Results - Reading
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Where To Watch Reading vs Carlisle United:
Where can I watch the game, either on TV or in person?
- Location: Madejski Stadium (Known as the Select Car Leasing Stadium for sponsorship reasons), Reading
- Date: Saturday 1st November, 2025
- TV Channel: This game is not scheduled for TV broadcast.
Probable Lineups For Reading vs Carlisle United:
Predicted Reading Lineup:
- Lineup: Stevens, Yiadom, O’Connor, Stickland, Ryan, Rushesha, Spencer, Okine-Peters, Elliott, Lane, Ehibhatiomhan
- Injured/Suspended: Ritchie, Marriott, Pereira, Camara, Garcia
- Coach: Leam Richardson
Predicted Carlisle United Lineup:
- Lineup: Lewis, Davies, Feeney, Hayden, Harper, Williams, Grant, Gilliead, Whelan, Conn-Clarke, Armstrong
- Injured/Suspended: Embleton, Ellis, Thomas, Mugbai, Wyke
- Coach: Mark Hughes
