Reading vs Arsenal U21 Match Analysis & Prediction
14/11/2023 10:00 pm
Having already assured themselves of top-two finishes in their EFL Trophy group, Reading and Arsenal U21 will battle in a straight shootout for first place in Tuesday’s Southern section Group G clash.
The Royals have collected six points from a possible six to lead the way at the summit and must simply avoid defeat against the Gunners’ academy prospects to sail through to round two as group winners.
Fresh from their disappointing demotion from the Championship, Reading humiliated Exeter City 9-0 on the opening matchday before also putting five unanswered goals past Swindon Town, with Harvey Knibbs taking home the match ball following a 49-minute hat-trick.
It will come as no surprise to learn that Reading’s tally of 14 goals is by far and away the best attacking in this year’s EFL Trophy, while they are one of only two teams yet to have their defence breached in the group stage, alongside Wycombe Wanderers.
Cup competitions have provided a welcome escape for Ruben Selles’ side, who also beat Milton Keynes Dons 3-2 in the first round of the FA Cup but suffered a calamitous collapse in Saturday’s League One match against Shrewsbury Town, racing into a 2-0 lead only to lose 3-2 owing to a pair of injury-time goals.
Not since the 2019-20 season have Arsenal U21 been eliminated from EFL Trophy contention at the first hurdle and they also have their destiny in their own hands as they gear up for a short trip to the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Two points came the Gunners’ way on their opening match against Swindon, who held Mehmet Ali’s side to a 2-2 draw before Arsenal secured the bonus point following a 5-4 penalty-shootout victory, before Exeter’s leaky defence came under constant siege once again in a 5-0 defeat to the North London troupe.
A draw and penalty-shootout win would draw Arsenal level on points with Reading, but the Royals’ superior goal difference would still see them qualify as group winners in that scenario, so the Gunners must get the better of their League One conterparts to pip them to top spot on Tuesday night.
Reading vs. Arsenal U21 Head to head
This will be the first meeting between these two teams.
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14/11/2023ReadingN/AArsenal U21N/AEFL Trophy
Reading Team News
Reading have lost several international players to call-ups, as Cameroon’s Ben Elliott, Montserrat’s Jeriel Dorsett, Zimbabwe’s Tivonge Rushesha and New Zealand’s Tyler Bindon are all representing their senior teams.
Basil Tuma, Dominic Ballard, Kelvin Abrefa, Nelson Abbey, Jahmari Clarke, Coniah Boyce-Clarke and Amadou Mbengue are all turning out at youth level for the countries.
Reading's Last 5 Matches
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24/10/2023Reading1Fleetwood Town2League One
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28/10/2023Reading2Portsmouth3League One
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04/11/2023Reading3Milton Keynes Dons2FA Cup
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07/11/2023Reading1Bristol Rovers1League One
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11/11/2023Shrewsbury Town3Reading2League One
Arsenal U21 Team News
Arsenal must make do without a handful of players due to international commitments, including Ethan Nwaneri as he prepares to represent England’s U17s with Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Lino Sousa and Amario Cozier-Duberry will also be turning out for England’s U19s, while highly-rated centre-back Reuell Walters has been named in the U21s.
Arsenal U21's Last 5 Matches
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23/09/2023Manchester United U212Arsenal U214Premier League 2
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29/09/2023Everton U211Arsenal U211Premier League 2
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10/10/2023Exeter City0Arsenal U215EFL Trophy
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29/10/2023Arsenal U216Brighton U213Premier League 2
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03/11/2023Arsenal U213Manchester City U213Premier League 2
Reading vs. Arsenal U21: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
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