Reading v Bradford City kicks off at 3pm UK time on Saturday 3 October at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, one of only three League One games still on during the international break. Sixth hosts second: the division's best goal difference against its meanest defence. Bradford travel under interim coaches after Graham Alexander left for Preston North End this week.
Kick-off, ground and what is at stake
- Kick-off: 3pm BST (14:00 UTC), Saturday 3 October 2026
- Ground: Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading, the old Madejski Stadium, all-seated with a capacity of 24,161
- Competition: League One, round nine
Bradford City are second on 15 points, level with leaders Plymouth Argyle and one goal behind them on goal difference. Plymouth are at Leyton Orient at the same time. If Plymouth fail to win at Brisbane Road, a Bradford win takes them top. If both win, Bradford need to win by two more goals than Plymouth to go past them.
Reading are sixth on 12, and their goal difference of +8 is the best in the division. Three points would put them on 15 and right in among the leaders.
Team news: what has been reported
The biggest change is in Bradford's dugout. The club announced on 28 September that Alexander and his assistant Chris Lucketti had gone to Preston, with Mark Trueman and Colin Doyle taking interim charge of the first team, starting with this trip.
On the playing side, Sports Mole's preview (1 October) has Jon McCracken (Scotland) and Ibou Touray (Gambia) away on international duty, and Tyreik Wright and Josh Neufville out injured.
Reading chose to play through the break even with three regulars called up, as the Henley Standard reported on 22 September. Charlie Savage (Wales) and Jeriel Dorsett (Montserrat) each have four internationals in the window, so expect both to miss out. The reports split on Andy Rinomhota. The Henley Standard expected him back from Zimbabwe duty in time for Bradford; Sports Mole lists him as unavailable and also names George Earthy as injured.
We found no injury update for this game on either club's own site on Friday, so treat any predicted XI as a guess until the team sheets go in, about an hour before kick-off. Our piece on when confirmed lineups actually drop explains why that hour matters if you are travelling. Both XIs go up on the Reading v Bradford City fixture page as soon as the clubs confirm them.
Form: Reading score at home, Bradford barely concede
Reading's league record is three wins, three draws and one defeat, with 16 goals in seven games. Only Stockport County, on 17, have scored more. Most of it has come at home: four league games at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, 13 goals, no defeats.
| Date | Home league result |
|---|---|
| 15 Aug | Reading 3-3 Luton Town |
| 2 Sep | Reading 5-0 Mansfield Town |
| 5 Sep | Reading 3-1 Blackpool |
| 19 Sep | Reading 2-0 Notts County |
Last Saturday they came from Wycombe with a 2-2 draw, Paudie O'Connor and Jacob Brown scoring. Their only league defeat was 2-1 at Cambridge United on 12 September.
Bradford have conceded four league goals all season, the fewest in League One, and kept five clean sheets in seven. Their last three league games all finished 1-0: Mansfield Town at Valley Parade, then away at Notts County and Luton Town, where Bobby Pointon got the winner on 19 September. Count the 3-1 League Cup win at Leyton Orient on 8 September and it is four wins in a row in all competitions. The last defeat was 2-1 at home to Cambridge United on 1 September.
Away from home they have won three of four league games and let in two goals, both in a 2-0 defeat at Plymouth.
One quirk in the build-up. Bradford have not played since that win at Luton. Their home game with Barnsley on 26 September was postponed because of Barnsley's international call-ups and now goes ahead on Tuesday 24 November. A fortnight without a match, then a new voice in the dressing room, is an odd way to prepare for a game with first place on it.
Head to head
ONTOUR's records hold two meetings, both in League One last season, and the home side won each time. Bradford beat Reading 2-0 at Valley Parade on 13 December 2025; Reading won the return 2-1 on 28 February 2026.
Getting there
Reading's official travel advice points visiting fans to Reading station and the F1 shuttle bus, which leaves from the South West Interchange on the station's south side from two hours before kick-off. Reading Green Park station is about 15 minutes' walk from the ground. Away supporters sit in the South Stand.
Following it on Saturday
The other two League One games, and everything else on Saturday's card, are in our weekend fixtures round-up. Scores move on live scores from 3pm and the League One table updates as the goals go in.
Heading down the M4 or across from Yorkshire? Check in at the ground on ONTOUR and your photos attach to this exact fixture, and the visit counts towards your 92 Club tally. The app takes its name from following your side on tour, and it has no connection to any travel, logistics or clothing business with a similar name.
Sources: fixture, kick-off, table, form, results and head-to-head from ONTOUR's fixtures, standings and preview data (2 October 2026). Bradford's interim coaches from bradfordcityafc.com (28 September) and Preston North End's appointment announcement (28 September). Barnsley postponement and new date from bradfordcityafc.com (14 and 25 September). Absentees from Sports Mole (1 October) and the Henley Standard (22 September). Ground name and capacity from Wikipedia; travel from readingfc.co.uk.
Written with AI assistance and edited by a human before publication.
