Our Reading vs Barnsley Prediction: 2-1
Reading vs Barnsley in the England League 1 is scheduled for an 15:00 GMT kick-off on Saturday January 24, 2026. We expect a 2-1 home win, but with both teams proving their offensive capabilities, BTTS is a solid alternative bet.
This Reading vs Barnsley prediction is backed by a deep dive into both teams' recent performances, key stats and head-to-head history — all of which you'll find detailed below to help you make an informed betting decision.
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Recent Form Insights
Reading's Last Match – Reading vs Stockport
Reading will want to continue their winning form after a 1-0 England League 1 victory over Stockport, knowing this is a must-win match for their campaign.
Barnsley's Last Match – Liverpool vs Barnsley
Barnsley will be looking to bounce back after a 1-4 England FA Cup defeat against Liverpool on January 12. In that match, Barnsley recorded 25% possession, attempting 6 shots on goal, with 4 hitting the target.
| Team | Possession | Shots (on target) | xG | Dangerous Attacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Liverpool | 75% | 11 (7) | 1.93 | 109 |
 Barnsley | 25% | 6 (4) | 1.18 | 27 |
Reading vs Barnsley Stats
Key Stats
| Reading | Barnsley | |
|---|---|---|
| 0.95 | Attacking Strength | 0.94 |
| 0.75 | Defence Strength | 1.09 |
| 2 | Points Per Game | 0.8 |
| 6/10 | WIN | 2/10 |
| 2/10 | DRAW | 2/10 |
| 4/10 | Clean Sheets | 1/10 |
| 5/10 | BTTS | 6/10 |
| 4/10 | Over 2.5 Goals | 6/10 |
| 1.7 | Average Scored | 1 |
Goals Scored vs Goals Conceded
Reading are averaging 1.7 goals scored and 0.9 conceded per match, while Barnsley average 1.0 scored and 2.4 conceded per game.
Cardiff 
Lincoln City 
Bradford 
Stockport 
Huddersfield 
Bolton 
Luton 
Stevenage 
Reading 
Peterborough 
Wycombe 
Mansfield 
AFC Wimbledon 
Exeter 
Wigan 
Plymouth 
Barnsley 
Leyton Orient 
Blackpool 
Northampton 
Burton Albion 
Rotherham 
Doncaster 
Port Vale