Reading and Stevenage will start their EFL Cup campaign in the first round when they face off at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Tuesday night.
Reading had a poor start to the campaign as they opened with a 1-0 defeat to Blackpool, although they got their season up and running in the second Matchday as they beat Cardiff City 2-1 at home last weekend.
Meanwhile Stevenage maintained their 100% start to their new League Two campaign courtesy of a 2-1 win over Stockport County at home last Saturday. Prior to that, the Boro were off a 2-1 away victory over Tranmere on the opening day, and have now gone unbeaten in their last seven, winning five in the process.
Now, both sides will be looking to build on their last weekend’s wins as they battle for a place in the second round of the EFL Cup. Reading, though, are the favorites to win the fixture as they play at least two tiers above Stevenage.
However, they will be aware the danger their opponents pause having recorded four wins with four clean sheets from their last six on the road matches.
Reading vs Stevenage head to head
Both sides have met in five encounters since 2011 with Reading claiming two victories while Stevenage have claimed one victory and there have been two draws.
- Reading 3-0 Stevenage 16/01/18
- Stevenage 0-0 Reading 06/01/18
- Stevenage 0-0 Reading 29/07/14
- Reading 0-1 Stevenage 07/01/12
- Stevenage 1-2 Reading 29/01/11
Home
- Reading 2-1 Cardiff
- Blackpool 1-0 Reading
- Reading 1-2 Brighton
- Wimbledon 0-2 Reading
- Reading 1-1 West Ham
Away
- Stevenage 2-1 Stockport
- Tranmere 1-2 Stevenage
- Peterborough Sports 0-0 Stevenage
- Stevenage 1-0 Derby County
- Stevenage 1-1 Peterborough
Reading team news
Reading will be without Sam Hutchinson due to hamstring problem.
Stevenage team news
Stevenage have doubts on Elliot List due to an injury, otherwise they have a fully-fit squad.
Prediction and odds
- Reading win
- Both sides to score
- Goals over 2.5
