U21S PREVIEW: BURNLEY V READING (2025)

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Table-topping Clarets finish Premier League Cup group stages

2025-02-03T09:45:00.000Z

U21S PREVIEW: BURNLEY V READING (2025)

Table-topping Clarets finish Premier League Cup group stages

2025-02-03T09:45:00.000Z

Table-topping Clarets finish Premier League Cup group stages

Burnley U21s play their final Premier League Cup match of the group stages on Tuesday night, with Reading visiting the County Ground in Leyland for a 7pm kick-off.

Andy Farrell’s team have dominated Group G, winning four and drawing the other of their five matches to date.

Their 13 points leave them top of the table heading into the last round of matches with Brighton & Hove Albion and Luton Town both a way off on seven points each.

The young Clarets have made an impressive start to 2025, recovering from a narrow defeat at the hands of Sheffield United to put five past Peterborough United and score four away at Barnsley.

Last week’s trip to Oakwell saw midfielder Joe Bauress steal the show with a goal either side of half-time, before Charlie Veevers and Logan Pye both found the net with deflected efforts.

Several members of the squad have since departed on loan, so Tuesday night’s game could be an opportunity for players to stake a claim for a starting berth in the second half of the campaign.

Burnley’s last Premier League Cup match was the team’s only draw to date, and that came down at Brighton & Hove Albion in December.

U21S PREVIEW: BURNLEY V READING - Image 1

Reading, who are a Category One academy, have found the going tough in this competition and have one point to show for their efforts.

It could be spun as a good omen that the point came in their last match in this competition, which was at Luton a couple of weeks ago.

The Royals were managed by Noel Hunt when we travelled to Berkshire last year, but the Irishman has now been promoted to First Team Manager.

Reading are currently 22nd in the 26-team PL2 standings and were last in action on Monday 27th January, losing 5-1 at home to Stoke City.

The young Clarets came out on top when these two teams met at the Select Car Leasing Stadium back in November, winning the tie 3-1.

Murray Campbell opened the scoring with his first and only goal of the season to date and Tom Tweedy doubled the team’s lead just two minutes later with his seventh goal in as many games.

Joe Barough halved the deficit before half-time but Burnley striker Joe Westley, who is now on loan at Swindon Town in League Two, put the result beyond any doubt in the second half.

Supporters are welcome to get behind the team in person in Leyland (PR25 2LF), with Burnley season ticket holders able to gain free entry by presenting their card.

Other adults are £5, while concessions are £2.