On paper it should be a walkover, its top of the league and scorers of 66 goals Reading v bottom of the league and the team that have shipped in 67 goals, Crewe Alex.
Vital Quotes:
Steve Coppell: Reading official site:
‘We have to do things exactly right because that’s the only way we’ve got a chance of winning.
‘We have to concern ourselves with our own performance, there may be people outside thinking we only have to turn up but nothing could be further from the truth.
Crewe Alex Team News:
Off the field Crewe have been put up for sale to anyone who comes along with around eight million burning a hole in his/her pocket.
On the field, Crewe have keeper problems with one, Ben Williams, being in hospital and two, Ross Turnbull having a hamstring problem. This leaves youngster Stuart Tomlinson set to make his debut.
Defender Anthony Tonkin played a reserve match in midweek with no apparent problems and should be included.
One time goal machine Luke Rodgers is looking for a start after coming on as a sub last week and finding the net in the 4-1 defeat at Watford.
Player to watch: Luke Rodgers
Used to score for fun a few seasons ago, now has managed two in two games so is on something of a roll.
Reading Team News:
There is little for Steve Coppell to worry about ahead of the game at the Alexandra Stadium, Marcus Hahnemann has a minor Knee twinge and Glen Little has been having a little trouble from his calf, but both should be fit to play.
The major change to the side would be up front if there was one and that is because Dave Kitson has come through a training session and there were no reported problems with his hamstring.
Coppell is known to be keen to see him back in the side ASAP.
Player to watch: Dave Kitson
If he?s fit, he?ll want to get on the score sheet.
Match Facts & Stats
Reading are still going strong in their storm to the Premiership with 76 point from 31 games, just one defeat all season is making promotion seem more of a when than an if.
The last six away games have produced four wins and two draws scoring 12 goals and conceding just three.
Crewe look to be in a hopeless position now, bottom of the league with 22 points from 31 games, they are seven points behind 21st placed Leicester City.
The Railwaymen?s last six home games have seen them win none, draw one and lose five times, scoring 8 and conceding 14. In fact, Crewe have not won a game home or away since Millwall on Nov 5th, some 14 games ago.
When the two sides met in September at the Mad Stad, Reading ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a goal from Ivar Ingimarsson
Ref Watch:
Colin Webster
We haven?t had the pleasure of Mr Webster so far this season, but he loves giving out the cards.
So far he has been in charge of 27 games, shown the yellow card 93 times and nine red cards.
Match Prediction:
The Royals should win this one comfortably. I?ll go for a 2-0 victory
Next Fixtures:
FA Cup Birmingham vs Reading 07-02-2006
League Championship Reading vs Southampton 10-02-2006
It’s almost as if we’ve forgotten what it’s like to be beaten – confidence is such that we feel invincible at the moment.
‘Every time we attack we look like we can score. We just need to keep doing what we’re doing and take it into the West Brom game.’
Norwich City are the visitors to the Mad Stad tonight and Nigel Worthington will be hoping his side can pull off a shock result and put the Canaries back on the winning track.