Preview: Reading vs AFC Wimbledon - prediction, team news, lineups

Just 10 days after crossing paths in the league, Reading will welcome AFC Wimbledon to Select Car Leasing Stadium once again on Tuesday evening for round two of the EFL Cup.

The Royals lost 2-1 in that clash on their own turf, and a win here would not only serve as swift revenge but also bring some relief from what has been a miserable start to the 2025-26 season.

Match preview

Other than edging past Portsmouth in the opening round of the EFL Cup, Reading have had little reason to cheer this season, with no wins in their remaining five competitive fixtures.

Including that setback against Wimbledon, Noel Hunt’s men have already fallen to three league defeats, while their two draws leave the Royals languishing second from bottom in the table.

Last weekend’s 2-2 stalemate with Wycombe proved agonising, as they were minutes away from sealing all three points before James Tilley’s late header two minutes from time delivered a crushing blow.

Victory on Tuesday would certainly lift spirits in the Reading camp, yet history offers little encouragement, with the club failing to progress beyond the second round of the EFL Cup in each of the past five seasons.

Wimbledon, by contrast, have more recent memories of reaching this stage, with their run in 2024-25 only halted in the third round when they faced Premier League side Newcastle United.

The Dons will look to match that feat in successive campaigns, and after needing penalties to overcome Gillingham in the previous round, Johnnie Jackson’s men are well-versed in grinding out results as they prepare to face a Reading side desperate for payback.

Momentum is also on their side after a 2-0 league win over Barnsley at the weekend, adding another positive chapter to what has so far been an impressive return to the third tier.

Promoted to League One via the playoff route, Wimbledon have now won three of their five matches (L2) in the division, and another victory against the only team they have beaten outright away from home would further boost their confidence.

Reading EFL Cup form:

Reading form (all competitions):

AFC Wimbledon EFL Cup form:

AFC Wimbledon form (all competitions):

Team News

Lewis Wing stood out once again in midfield for Reading last time out, providing a goal and an assist, and that should be enough to guarantee him a starting berth here.

Mamadi Camara also took his chance by finding the net in that encounter, so he could be rewarded with another place in the XI for a second match running.

Mathew Stevens will be eager to build on his opener last time out, and having scored against Wimbledon in their recent league meeting, he has further reason to fancy his chances, though his inclusion is uncertain given Danilo Orsi-Dadomo led the line in the previous round against Gillingham.

Antwoine Hackford stepped off the bench to wrap up the win over Barnsley, and with the added note of being the side’s only scorer in the first round, he will also be pushing strongly for a start.

Reading possible starting lineup:

Pereira; Abrefa, Stickland, Burns, Jacob; Savage, Lewis, Doyle; Camara, Ehibhatiomhan, Garcia

AFC Wimbledon possible starting lineup:

McDonnelle; Ogundere, Lewis, Johnson; Asiimwe, Reeves, Smith, Seddon; Hippolyte, Browne; Stevens

We say: Reading 2-1 AFC Wimbledon

This tie has all the makings of a close affair, but with Reading seeking respite from their struggles and eager for revenge, the home side may just have enough to edge it.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.