Our prediction for this League 1 match:
Following back-to-back draws with Peterborough and Cheltenham, Reading will look to return to winning ways in the League One when they face Exeter on Monday. The Royals have been showing signs of improvement up front and they are likely to adopt yet another attack-minded approach against Exeter. Sam Smith is widely expected to return to the starting XI after scoring as a substitute in the last league match.
The Grecians, on the other hand, head into the match following a goalless draw with Portsmouth. The two teams seem to be evenly matched at the moment and, taking everything into account, we believe that there is a big value in betting on draw. Sonny Cox, who limped off with injury in the last league match, is unlikely to feature against Reading. When the two teams met in the EFL Trophy in September 2023 Reading crushed Exeter 9-0, but the share of spoils is on the cards this time out.
Highlighted Player (Andy Yiadom):
Andy Yiadom was born in Holloway, London, but he began his career in the youth team of Watford. After spending two years at the Watford football academy, the pacey full-back (winger) joined Hayes & Yeading United and he scored only one goal in 36 appearances in the league for the club.
At the end of the 2010/2011 campaign Yiadom moved to Braintree Town and after scoring seven goals in 27 appearances for the Iron he signed a contract with Barnet. The 180-cm-tall footballer played for Barnet from 2012 to 2016 and he scored 14 goals in 169 appearances for the Bees. Andy Yiadom then decided to take a step forward in his career as he moved to Championship side Barnsley.
The English footballer played 32 games in the league for the Tykes last season and he provided three assists for his teammates, while receiving four yellow cards. His main position is full-back (right-back), but he is capable of playing on the left flank as well.
Highlighted Team (Exeter):
Nicknamed the Grecians, Exeter City are a professional football club that welcome their rivals at St. James Park. The stadium was opened in September 1904, and it can hold up to 8,696 spectators. Exeter City play their homes in white jerseys with red stripes, and black shorts, while violet and yellow are the dominant colours of their away kit.
The Grecians made it to the FA Cup quarter-finals on two occasions (1930/31, 1980/81), with the team advancing to the FA Trophy semis in the 2005/06 season. The likes of Harry Gee, Cliff Bastin, Maurice Setters, Dick Pym, Fred Whitlow, Arnold Mitchell, Tony Kellow, Fred Binney, Darran Rowbotham, Lee Sharp, and David Pleat are one of the most notable footballers who played for Exeter City in the past.
Plymouth Argyle, Torquay United, Bristol Rovers, and Yeovil Town are considered the club’s fiercest rivals. The Grecians currently compete in the League Two.