Reading play their first away game of the season while Leicester City play in front of their home crowd for the first time this season. It will also see Matt Mills play against his former side that he left this summer.
Vital Quotes:
Reading manager Brian McDermott – ‘They’ve got a good side, big club, big ground, the owners are spending, good luck to him, they do it their way and we do it ours. It’s a good pressure, Sven will enjoy that, he’s been very successful.’
Leicester boss Sven-Goran Eriksson –‘Although we only had an outside chance of reaching the play-offs when we faced Reading at the Madejski Stadium last season, defeat there effectively ended our hopes. That day hurt us all and we are determined to show just how much we have improved over the past months. To us all, this is a lot more important and will be just as difficult as there are three league points at stake.’
Leicester Team News:
Foxes will be without their new right-back Lee Peltier, who got injured in their win with Coventry, so Jon Pantsil could start.
Player to watch: Matt Mills
The newly appointed Foxes and former Royals captain has gained many admirers already at the King Power Stadium by showing his ‘heart on your sleeve’ attitude and showing signs of a top defender.
Reading Team News:
Reading will still be without striker Simon Church due to a thigh problem. Shaun Cummings and Marcus Williams are both recovering from knocks so are unlikely to be fit.
Likely Starting XI: Federici, Griffin, Khumalo, Pearce, Harte, Kebe, Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Manset, Hunt
Player to watch: Mathieu Manset
The Ivorian striker has made a fantastic start to the season, coming off the bench last week to score 2 goals and earn the Royals a point. Could prove to be a massive handful for Mills and Bamba.
Match Facts & Stats
Last 5 Meetings:
Reading 3 – 1 Leicester
Leicester 1 – 2 Reading
Leicester 0 – 1 Reading
Reading 0 – 1 Leicester
Leicester 1 – 1 Reading
Match Prediction:
I’m not usually a pessimist but I feel Leicester may have too much going forward when defensively we seem to be at our weakest. 2-0 to Leicester.
Next Fixtures:
Portsmouth (A) – Tues 16th August
