Cardiff (A) Match Preview

The Royals make their first ever trip to the Cardiff City Stadium to face (believe it or not!) Cardiff City! The Bluebirds are sat in the play off places, exactly where we would like to be come the end of the season. However we can forget that should we not pick up maximum points here, a full match preview is here…..

Vital Quotes:

Brian McDermott –

‘They`re a good side and it`s a tough place to go. They`ve got strikers who are scoring goals and players out wide who can score and they`re a solid outfit.’

Simon Church –

‘I really enjoy going there and playing. I`ve already had family phoning me up for a couple of tickets so it should be a good day. For Reading it`s a big game and we want to take points off Cardiff, try to move up the table and catch them up.’

Cardiff Team News:

The Bluebirds will have to do without Gavin Rae who has been ruled out for the season. Chris Burke and Peter Whittingham, two of the top players in the Championship, are both doubtful after missing the draw with Nottingham Forest on Monday, but they could welcome back Mark Hudson after three months out injured.

Player to watch: Ross McCormack

Used mainly out wide on the left when played this season, he is a massive goal threat and will be one for the Royals defence to keep an eye on.

Reading Team News:

Matt Mills will be suspended after his appeal over a red card at Ipswich was turned down. Alex Pearce will deputise for his first appearance in the first team since 28th December 2009, away at Plymouth. He is still listed as the clubs vice captain, so could take over the armband from Mills as well.

There are no new injury concerns so Brian McDermott has a selection headache after a fine performance over Coventry when he had rested a number of first team regulars.


Gylfi Sigurdsson is sure to be restored to the side, but the likes of Shane Long could miss out and have to settle for a place on the bench after Church and Rasiak scored on Monday.

Player to watch: Alex Pearce

Defender hasn’t played for over three months for the first team and has Matt Mills boots to fill. At the start of the season Brendan Rodgers compared him to John Terry, well he must have meant in the bedroom because he has looked anything but on the pitch! Now is his chance to prove himself to Brian McDermott, and this run could make or break his Reading career.

Last Meeting

Wednesday 16th September 2009, Reading 0-1 Cardiff.

Match Prediction:

Despite a bit of slump, Cardiff remain favourites to secure a play off place and have plenty of goalscorers in their side. However with Burke and Whittingham doubtful, I can see us getting a draw – 1-1.

Next Fixture:

Tuesday 13th April 2010, Newcastle (H)