Expect Stevenage to line up in their usual 4-4-2, a shape that's become their identity under Revell. It's a system built on discipline, with two banks of four that are a nightmare to break down. They'll look to make it ugly, to turn the game into a scrap, and to feed off second balls and set pieces. Reading, by contrast, are likely to stick with a 4-3-3, looking to play through the thirds and use width to stretch Stevenage's compact shape. The midfield battle will be crucial — Stevenage's central pair will look to disrupt and harry, while Reading's trio will try to find pockets of space and play forward quickly.

The key clash will be out wide. Stevenage's full-backs will be asked to stay tight and not get dragged out of position, while Reading's wingers will try to isolate them one-on-one. If Reading can get their wide men on the ball in dangerous areas, they'll cause problems. But if Stevenage can force them inside, into the congested middle, this becomes a very different game. Set pieces are another layer — Stevenage are the kind of side that can nick a goal from a corner or a long throw, and that could be the difference in a tight, tense cup tie.