It seems like it has been a while since we last played at the Mad Stad, but we return home on a high, on the back off a good away victory at Norwich last week. Our opponents tomorrow will prove a very tough test though, a rejuvenated Bolton side, who have won five of their eight games with new boss Neil Lennon in charge. Expect a much harder game than the 7-1 mauling last season, but hopefully a similarly dreadful from Millsy!
Vital Quotes:
Reading manager Nigel Adkins – ‘There`s a resurgence about them under the new manager. Neil has come in, turned them around and they`re in good form. Having watched them and done our homework on them, we know it`s going to be a competitive game. I know that all of the Reading supporters coming down are going to get right behind us. We`re on the back of the victory we had Norwich and we go into Saturday with a bit more confidence now.”
Bolton boss Neil Lennon – ‘I expect Reading to turn their fortunes around as the season goes on, especially with the manager they have, but hopefully that won`t start against us after their good win at Norwich. We have real motivation for the game, we`re trying to look up the table, but we know it can change very quickly and we`re not getting ahead of ourselves. We`ve always tried to instill that mentality and although we are now winning games, teams around us are doing so as well.’
Reading Team News:
The Royals will still be without the attacking duo of Jamie Mackie and Pavel Pogrebnyak, who remain sidelined with a hamstring and calf problem respectively. Skipper Jem Karacan is edging closer to a return, but Hope Akpan remains sidelined for a few more months.
Midfielder Danny Guthrie has been getting external treatment for his recurrence of a calf problem, but could be back in training by the end of the month. Defender Anton Ferdinand has suffered another injury set back this week, but Alex Pearce has returned from suspension.
Player to watch: Garath McCleary
The Royals winger started his first game in seven months last week against Norwich and despite having a quiet game, is slowly gaining fitness game-by-game. GMac will probably start tomorrow too, so let’s hope he starts showing glimpses of the form prior to his injury.
Bolton Team News:
Neil Lennon will be boosted by the return of David Wheater to fitness, who should be named on the bench. Goalkeeper Adam Bogdan completed ninety minutes for the reserves, but Adam Longeran will continue in goal. Kevin McNaughton remains injured for this one.
This game could also see Eidur Gudjohnsen make a return to English football in this game, after signing for Bolton this week. Emile Heskey has been training with Bolton, but is yet to be signed. The duo of Marc Tierney and Stuart Holden are long-term absentees.
Player to watch: Matt Mills
The former Reading defender didn’t get the best reception on his Madejski return last season and it probably won’t get any better this time round, despite his helpful performance in the 7-1 last season. Somehow, Mills has been one of Bolton’s most consistent performers this season and finally seems to be settled again (which probably means he will want another move!).
Match Facts & Stats
Reading – 4-2-3-1: Federici; Kelly, Hector, Cooper, Gunter; Norwood, Williams; McCleary, Cox, Obita; Murray.
Bolton – 4-5-1: Longeran; Vela, Mills, Dervite, Ream; Feeney, Danns, Pratley, Lee, Clayton; Davies.
Ref Watch:
The man in the middle for this game will be Keith Hill, who has already refereed the Royals once this season, as they beat Millwall 3-2 at home, thanks to a late Simon Cox goal. The last time he refereed Bolton was in March, as they thrashed Leeds 5-1 at Elland Road.
Match Prediction:
This will be a tight game, with both teams capable of scoring goals and coming into the match on the back of two good wins. Like many Championship games, it can go either way, so I’m going for the safe bet of a draw.
Vital Reading prediction: Reading 1 – 1 Bolton
Next Fixtures:
Reading – Birmingham (A) – Sat 13th December – SkyBet Championship
Bolton – Ipswich (H) – Sat 13th December – SkyBet Championship
