The Royals welcome Palace to the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night on the back of a fine away win against Sheff Wed on Saturday. Despite the lack of striking options, Brendan Rodgers side will go into the game full of confidence and have a striker with an impressive goal scoring record in Grzegorz Rasiak.
Palace come into the game on the back of a heavy defeat to Doncaster at Selhurst Park, but before that blip at the weekend they were on a six match unbeaten run and midfielder Darren Ambrose had scored for 6 consecutive games, which represents an equal club record. The players have also not been paid for November but manager Neil Warnock refused to put the blame on Chairman Simon Jordan for Saturday’s defeat.
Vital Quote: Kalifa Cisse
‘We have strong squad and we need everyone because on Tuesday we have another big game against Crystal Palace and then we go again on Saturday against Scunthorpe.’
‘Every game is difficult in the Championship and we have to get a positive result tomorrow against Palace else the win at Sheffield Wednesday is nothing. We have to keep this dynamic now for tuesday’s game.’
Reading Team News:
Simon Church is set to miss out with the back injury that forced him off in the first half against Sheffield Wednesday, leaving only Grzegorz Rasiak as the only available striker as Shane Long serves his second match of a three game ban.
Chris Armstrong is nearing full fitness and could be inline for a place on the bench but Matt Mills is set to be left out of the squad again, after Brendan Rodgers confirmed he is not injured.
Player to watch: Grzegorz Rasiak
He doesn’t have much competition for his place but he is doing more than enough to keep his place in the team after another goal on Saturday at Sheffield Wednesday. Is the perfect foil for Jobi McAnuff and if he continues to get on the end of his crosses then there are sure to be more goals from the Polish striker.
Crystal Palace Team News:
Neil Warnock is set to make changes to his starting 11 after the heavy defeat to Doncaster and on loan Freddie Sears could come back into the team. Lee Hills serves the final game of his three match ban.
Player to watch: Darren Ambrose
The former Newcastle midfielder has been in fine form for Palace this season and regularly finds the net from midfield, scoring 10 league goals so far this season.
Last Meeting:
21st March 2009 – Palace 0-0 Reading. Selhurst Park
Match Prediction:
After bouncing back from the defeat to Derby in fine fashion at Sheffield Wednesday, I think the Royals will record another moral boosting win at home to Palace. 2-1
Next Fixture:
Saturday 12th December 2009. Scunthorpe United (H)
