Barsnley travel to the Madejski Stadium still looking for their first win in the NPower Championship, while Reading return on the back of their first loss of the season against Portsmouth.
Vital Quotes:
Reading boss Brian McDermott – ‘It’s an even League, you look at Leicester, they’ve lose two home games, but I just concern myself with bouncing back after Portsmouth. Keith Hill did a really good job at Rochdale, they’ll try to play football and it won’t be an easy game.’
Barsnley manager Keith Hill – “Reading were Play-Off finalists last season and have pace in the right places. There`s a lot of expectancy on them this season. We need to have a good strategy to deal with them.’
Reading midfielder Mikele Leigertwood – ‘We were obvioulsy disappointed to lose our last game at Portsmouth. So now we’ve got to put it right on Saturday.’
Reading Team News:
Reading will be without Andy Griffin who picked up a hamstring problem Tuesday night, so Brynjar Gunnarsson is likely to deputise as Shaun Cummings is still not fit. However, Simon Church could be involved as he has recovered from a thigh problem.
Likely starting XI: Federici, Gunnarsson, Khumalo, Pearce, Harte, Kebe, Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Hunt, Manset
Player to watch: Jimmy Kebe
The Malian Magician has been on hot form for the Royals already this season, causing many defences problems, as likely he will with Barnsley’s.
Barsnley Team News:
Barnsley boss Keith Hill has admitted his team are carrying a variety of knocks and niggles but refused to name specific players. Portuguese striker Ricardo Vaz Te picked up a knock last week and is unlikely to be risked.
Player to watch: Danny Haynes
The pacey front man is bound to cause the Reading defence some problems with his direct running from out wide and in the middle.
Match Facts & Stats
Last 5 Meetings:
Barnsley 0 – 1 Reading – 19th March 2011
Reading 3 – 0 Barsnley – 25th September 2010
Reading 1 – 0 Barnsley – 30th January 2010
Barsnley 1 – 3 Reading – 29th August 2009
Reading 0 – 0 Barnsley – 18th April 2009
Match Prediction:
Barnsley may have some good players going forward in Haynes and Davies but defensively we could cause them major problems down the wings and should come out of the game with a good result. 2-0 Reading.
Next Fixtures:
Reading – Charlton (A) – 23rd August – Carling Cup First Round
Barsnley – Millwall (A) – 27th August – NPower Championship
