Tough Tuesday test at Sixfields
The match against Burton Albion left a lot to be desired, but Tuesday night's trip to Northampton offers an immediate chance to rebuild some much-needed momentum.
The Royals' struggles away in the league are well-known, but this match kicks off a week with successive away games, and you know what they say about London buses...
With a good number of fans making the journey, your support is needed more than ever. Below is all the key information for both those heading to Sixfields, but also the fans wanting to support from home.
TICKETS
We have an allocation of 1,473 for this fixture, which are available to buy in advance until 12pm on Tuesday 3 October.
You will be able to collect your tickets from the main reception of the Select Car Leasing Stadium from Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
Tickets are available on the day from the away ticket collections booth based at the south stand. Only card will be accepted with a price increase of £1. Collections and duplicates can also be collected from here.
ROYALSTV
This fixture is available for streaming on RoyalsTV in the UK and Ireland as well as overseas, with a Video Match Pass costing £10 and offering a livestream of the match complete with commentary.
Audio Passes are also on offer worldwide for this fixture, costing £2.50.
A reminder that Monthly subscriptions are also on offer for RoyalsTV – fans in the UK/Ireland can get hold of Audio packages (£4.49 per calendar month), while overseas supporters can get Video packages, which cover eligible Sky Bet League One fixtures (£25 per calendar month).
Seasonal packages are now also on offer: Season Audio Passes, available in UK and Ireland as well as internationally, cost £45, with Season Video Passes, available international-only, for £170.
See our available subscriptions
AWAY FANS GUIDE
For all the informaton you need for your trip to Sixfields, please use the link below to view the Cobblers' guide. This covers where you will be situated in the ground, and information if you are driving.
Away Fans Guide including info for drivers
If you are travelling to Sixfields via public transport, some useful links can be found using the button below. The closest mainline train station is Northampton, with direct buses (9A, 15, 18, D3) to the stadium, or a 35-minute walk to the ground.
Travelling by public transport
STAR Coaches
There is still availability on STAR coaches for this fixture, which you can book using the link below:
Book STAR Coaches for Northampton
Departure times are as follows:
Pick Up Stadium: 3.15pm
Pick Up West Street: 3.30pm
The opposition
Northampton Town have fared similar to the Royals so far after earning promotion from League Two last season, with both sides having three wins, one draw, and five defeats nine games into the League One season.
However, somewhat unusually, the Cobblers have struggled at home, picking up the majority of their points on their travels. They have managed just four points from their five matches at Sixfields this season, with their sole victory coming against Peterborough United back in mid-August.
Despite this, Jon Brady's team will come into this match with their tails up after an impressive 2-0 away win at high-flyers Exeter City. This win was much-needed, having lost their three previous league fixtures and gone over a month since their last victory in all competitions.
The side currently find themselves situated in 17th, four points, and places, better off than the Royals.
One to watch: Sam Hoskins
Every team needs a creative spark in this league, and through Hoskins, the Cobblers certainly have theirs.
Having featured in all nine of their league matches so far, Hoskins has found the net four times, including a cheeky finish through the 'keeper's legs after latching onto a wonderful through ball to give his side the lead against Exeter City.
The 30-year-old is known for his strong finishing skills as well as his crossing, and certainly proves a handful for defenders, averaging over three shots a game so far this season. This puts him in the top three out of every player in the league.
Head-to-head
This fixture marks the first league meeting between the two sides since 2002, and we have to go back even further to 2001 for our last trip to Sixfields.
The Royals last took on the Cobblers in a second round tie of the Carabao Cup in 2010, with the Cobblers, then of League Two, pulling off a shock victory on penalties after the game ended 3-3.
Back in the last league meeting between the two, which took place in November 2001, Reading took home all three points in a 2-0 win. On the scoresheet that day for the Royals were Jamie Cureton and Martin Butler.
There have been a total of 96 matches between the two teams, with Reading leading the way with 49 wins compared to Northampton Town's 28. There have been 19 draws.
REF WATCH
Matt Corlett has been appointed as referee for this fixture, having not taken charge of any League One games to this point this season.
In fact, this marks the first time Corlett has officiated a match at this level, having predominantly overseen matches in the National League, and National League North.
Speaking of firsts, this will be the first instance of Corlett refereeing a game involving either Northampton Town or Reading.
Running the line for this game will be Stephen Finch and Stephen Brown, with Kevin Howick the fourth official.