Sky Bet League One
Matchday 43 of 46
Select Car Leasing Stadium
Saturday, April 18th, 2026 – 3:00pm KO
THE PERMUTATIONS
Cardiff City could be promoted to the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday afternoon, if results go their way.
Four points from our final four matches would guarantee the Bluebirds an immediate return to the second tier, but a win for Brian Barry-Murphy’s side at Reading, and a draw or defeat for Stockport County at Exeter City, would see promotion confirmed on the weekend.
If both sides are victorious, City will be 12 points ahead of the Hatters, with 12 points left available to the chasing County. While goal difference heavily favours the Bluebirds, this circumstance would put any promotion celebrations on hold.
The Bluebirds could also be promoted with a draw on the weekend, but only if Stockport County lose and Bradford City, who travel to Barnsley, drop points.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | CURRENT FORM
The Royals have an outside shot of the play-offs. They sit tenth in Sky Bet League One after 43 games, five points off the top six.
It would require a major swing though for them to reach the end of season battle for promotion, with Stevenage, Luton Town, Huddersfield Town and Plymouth Argyle all in a better spot as things stand.
They are also three without a win since their home victory over Wigan Athletic on March 28th. Since that day, they've drawn with Huddersfield Town and been beaten by Lincoln City and Doncaster Rovers.
Last Six | Reading's league form
Overall: WLWDLL
Home: WDWDWL
Away: WLWLDL
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | THE ROYALS
Clinical forward Jack Marriott has been missing through injury since the middle of February, but there is talk of a coming return. The striker has 17 goals in all competitions from 25 matches this term. Marriott's absence has meant more starts for 22-year-old academy graduate Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan. The centre forward has nine league goals this season.
Lewis Wing has started all 43 of Reading's league matches, making a big impact with 11 goals. Welsh international Charlie Savage has also featured in every game for the Royals this term, with three of his 43 appearances coming from the substitutes bench.
Saturday's game at Doncaster Rovers saw the return of former City man Andy Rinomhota. The central midfielder has only appeared twice this season after returning to the Royals.
2025/26 Squad
GK | Joel Pereira, Jack Stevens, Tom Norcott, Matt Rowley.
DEF | Kelvin Abrefa, Jeriel Dorsett, Haydon Roberts, Finley Burns, Paudie O'Connor, Benn Ward, Andy Yiadom, Michael Stickland, Ryan Nyambe, Derrick Williams, Ashqar Ahmed.
MID | Ben Elliott, Liam Fraser, Charlie Savage, Lewis Wing, Daniel Kyerewaa, Tivonge Rushesha, Andy Rinomhota, Randell Williams, Mamadi Camara, Kamari Doyle, Matt Ritchie.
FOR | Jack Marriott, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, Kadan Young, Mark O'Mahony, Will Keane, Paddy Lane.
IN DAYS GONE BY
06/05/2018 - Cardiff City 0-0 Reading
City’s last promotion came against the Royals on a memorable day in the Welsh capital.
While it wasn’t end-to-end action on the pitch, with the game ending goalless, the scenes off it were quite spectacular.
With news regularly filtering through of Birmingham City’s impressive display against Fulham, it became clear a draw would be enough to see the Bluebirds promoted to the Premier League.
At the final whistle, jubilation filled Cardiff City Stadium. The 32,478 in attendance that day are likely to remember the occasion forever.
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