Plymouth (H) Match Preview

After two wins in a row, for the first time this season, the Royals welcome Plymouth to the Madejski Stadium in a relegation six pointer. Brian McDermott will be looking to avenge the 4-1 hammering we got at Home Park back in December in one of his first games in temporary charge, and the new found confidence running through the side will be key to gaining a much needed three points. A full match preview is here….

Vital Quotes:

Royals manager Brian McDermott –

‘We now play Plymouth at home now, we look forward to getting back playing in front of our own fans. We’ve got a really exciting win behind us and now we have Plymouth and then West Brom in the cup – I cannot wait!’

Reading Team News:

The Royals will be without defender Matt Mills who is suspended after his red card at Doncaster and his place will be taken by Zurab Khizanishvili. Gylfi Sigurdsson missed the win at Doncaster but could return in place of Jimmy Kebe who limped off at the Keepmoat.

McDermott switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation at the weekend but could revert back to his favoured 4-4-2, especially at home meaning Simon Church, Grzegorz Rasiak or Gunnar Thorvaldsson could earn a recall.

Player to watch: Zurab Khizanishvili

Was expected to go straight into the Royals line up when he signed, however due to the form of Matt Mills he has been forced to sit on the bench. However with Mills suspended, the on loan Blackburn defender will get his chance against the Pilgrims.

Plymouth Team News:

Karl Duquid limped out of the 1-0 defeat to West Brom on Saturday so David McNamee will earn a start. Damien Johnson made his debut in that game after signing from Birmingham and he will again be at the heartbeat of the team.

Player to watch: Jamie Mackie

Mackie always seems to play well against the Royals and is currently in the running for football league goal of the year for his strike against us last season. He was again causing our defence problems at Home Park back in December and the Royals had better keep an eye on him on Tuesday night.

Last Meeting

Plymouth 4-1 Royals, 28th December 2009 Home Park

Match Prediction:

Whisper it quietly but we are starting to put a decent little run together under Brian McDermott – I think it will continue on Tuesday and we will record a home win. Royals 2-0 Plymouth

Next Fixture:

Saturday 13th February 2010, West Brom (H) FA Cup 5th Round.