Contents
- Competition: Football League Trophy
- Date: 10th November, 2026
- Kickoff: 19:00 UK / 20:00 CET
- Venue: Memorial Stadium
Bristol Rovers will face Reading on Tuesday evening for their final Southern Group C fixture in the 2026/27 Football League Trophy. The visitors have considerably more to play for, as they need a convincing victory to keep their qualification hopes alive, whereas the hosts have already been eliminated following a disappointing group-stage campaign.
Bristol Rovers vs Reading Head to Head (H2H) stats
-
Bristol Rovers
0 : 2
Reading
League One
-
Reading
1 : 0
Bristol Rovers
League One
-
Bristol Rovers
0 : 2
Reading
League One
-
Reading
1 : 1
Bristol Rovers
League One
Reading have enjoyed the upper hand in recent meetings between the sides, remaining unbeaten in their last four encounters, recording three victories and one draw. The Royals also won both meetings during the 2024/25 League One campaign, securing a 1-0 home victory before completing a 2-0 away success at the Memorial Stadium in April 2025.
Bristol Rovers team overview
Steve Evans' side have endured a difficult start to the season, sitting 17th in League Two with 16 points. Their recent performances have been particularly concerning, although they finally ended a seven-game winless run with a 2-0 FA Cup victory over Cambridge United this weekend.
The Pirates have struggled defensively, conceding six goals in their opening two EFL Trophy fixtures. They drew 2-2 against Chelsea Under-21s before losing 4-1 to Wycombe Wanderers.
Cavegn is expected to lead the attack alongside Joe Quigley, while Russell-Denny could retain his place in midfield. No additional confirmed injury absences have been reported ahead of Tuesday's encounter.
Last matches of Bristol Rovers
-
Bristol Rovers
2 : 0
Cambridge United
FA Cup
-
Fleetwood
3 : 1
Bristol Rovers
League Two
-
Bristol Rovers
0 : 0
Swindon Town
League Two
-
Bristol Rovers
1 : 2
Salford City
League Two
-
Shrewsbury Town
1 : 0
Bristol Rovers
League Two
Bristol Rovers lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Brad Young
Defenders
-
2
Tom James
-
4
Kofi Balmer
-
5
Alfie Kilgour
-
14
Ben Purrington
Midfielders
-
6
Clinton Mola
-
22
Keenan Gough
-
8
Reiss Russell-Denny
-
24
Tommy Leigh
Forwards
-
9
Joe Quigley
-
29
Fabrizio Cavegn
Reading team overview
Reading travel to Bristol in considerably better spirits after recording an impressive 5-0 away victory against Peterborough United in the FA Cup. Daniel Kyerewaa, Jack Marriott and Charlie Savage scored before substitute Jamie Reid added two more goals.
Leam Richardson's team currently occupy sixth position in League One, having collected 22 points from 14 matches, while their recent record is encouraging, with three victories, one draw and two defeats in their last six outings across all competitions.
Reading will have to manage their squad carefully, however. Udoka Godwin-Malife reportedly picked up a knock against Peterborough, potentially opening the door for Ashqar Ahmed to start. Marriott could also be rested after recently returning from injury, with Reid likely to benefit from his excellent performance in the FA Cup.
Last matches of Reading
-
Peterborough United
0 : 5
Reading
FA Cup
-
Oxford United
2 : 0
Reading
League One
-
Plymouth Argyle
0 : 0
Reading
League One
-
Reading
2 : 1
Barnsley
League One
-
Reading
1 : 0
Leyton Orient
League One
Reading lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Joel Pereira
Defenders
-
39
Ashqar Ahmed
-
20
Josh Knight
-
23
Conor Masterson
-
5
Haydon Roberts
Midfielders
-
6
Liam Fraser
-
8
Charlie Savage
-
28
Josh Stokes
Forwards
-
14
Randell Williams
-
11
Daniel Kyerewaa
-
9
Jamie Reid
Prediction
Bristol Rovers could take some confidence from their recent victory over Cambridge, but Reading's superior quality and pedigree as a League One side, as well as greater motivation, should eventually make the difference.
Prediction: Reading to Win.
Three reasons we expect Reading to Win
- Reading have superior squad quality and league standing. The visitors currently sit sixth in League One with 22 points from 14 matches, compared with Bristol Rovers' 17th position in League Two.
- Excellent recent attacking performance. Reading demolished Peterborough United 5-0 in the FA Cup.
- Reading's dominance in previous meetings. The Royals are unbeaten in their last five encounters with Bristol Rovers, recording four victories and one draw.
Main prediction Bristol Rovers - Reading
Reading to win
Best Odds:
Bristol Rovers vs Reading standings in EFL Trophy
| Southern Group C | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol Rovers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Chelsea U21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Reading | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Wycombe Wanderers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 - 0 | 0 | 0 |