The final whistle of Reading's 2025/26 season is almost here, and what a finale it promises to be. This Saturday, the Royals host Blackpool at home, with the team eyeing a finish anywhere from ninth to 12th place. Let's dive into everything you need to know about the opposition.
Blackpool currently sit 14th in League One, four spots and six points behind Reading. It's been a steady season for the Tangerines, marking their third consecutive year in the third tier after being relegated alongside the Royals back in 2023. But don't let their midtable position fool you—they're hitting their stride at just the right time. With four wins in their last five matches, including a gritty 1-0 victory over relegation-threatened Leyton Orient, Blackpool are brimming with confidence heading into this weekend's clash.
Reading fans will surely remember the last time these two sides met. Back in November, the Royals put on a masterclass, storming to an impressive 0-3 away win. Goals from Kamari Doyle, Lewis Wing, and Randell Williams lit up the scoreboard, and Reading will be hoping for a similar performance on home turf.
At the helm of Blackpool is Ian Evatt, a manager with a story worth telling. The 44-year-old former centre-back took over in October last year, replacing Steve Bruce. Evatt's playing days spanned 19 years, with stops at Derby County, Chesterfield, Queens Park Rangers, and, fittingly, Blackpool itself. After hanging up his boots, he cut his managerial teeth at National League side Barrow, guiding them back to the Football League by winning the title in the Covid-shortened 2019/20 season. That success earned him a move to Bolton Wanderers, where he secured automatic promotion to League One in his first season. After four and a half years with the Trotters, he left by mutual consent in January last year, before landing at Blackpool.
Since taking charge, Evatt has won 16 of his 37 games, a solid 43% win rate. He's known for favoring an attacking, direct style of football—something Reading's defense will need to be ready for. However, Blackpool will be without several key players for Saturday's match. Defenders Fraser Horsfall and Michael Ihiekwe, midfielder George Honeyman, and winger Josh Bowler are all expected to miss out through injury. That leaves the likes of Peacock-Farrell, Walters, Casey, Husband, Brown, CJ Hamilton, and And to carry the load.
It's set to be a fascinating end to the season. Will Reading's home advantage and recent head-to-head dominance carry the day, or will Blackpool's late-season surge spoil the party? One thing's for sure: this is a matchup no fan will want to miss.