An important home win last week meant that Reading are now doing as well at this stage of the season as they were in the last, so all the second season syndrome talk is as misplaced as Steve Coppell keeps saying. Fulham have found the going tough this season, but both will fancy this as a game to win.
Vital Quotes: Steve Coppell
On playing Kevin Doyle as a right winger, “Good players can give a good account of themselves anywhere but now more and more players are specialists.
“He is playing for the team and we had more tempo than before and a little bit more balance. Before, players were getting balls in situations where you knew they were uncomfortable. It was more akin to square pegs in round holes.”
Fulham Team News:
Brian McBride and Jimmy Bullard are still out with long-term injuries, although Bullard is getting closer to a return. Ian Pearce, Philippe Christanval, Simon Elliott and Lee Cook are all injured and Paul Konchesky and Carlos Bocanegra suspended but Hameur Bouazza should return.
Player to watch: Seol Ki-Hyeon
He is expected to start on the bench, but whispers are that he could in fact start. Whatever happens though much like Liam Rosenior for Reading against Fulham, he will be looking to get one over his former side.
Reading Team News:
There are no new injuries to report, and John Oster and Kalifa Cisse are expected to be back in first team contention, or at least training in the next week.
Player to watch: Leroy Lita
Depending on whether or not Steve Coppell sticks with his attacking formation last week, which seems likely, when Kevin Doyle was used on the right Leroy Lita should start again, and with him hungry for goals if he does he will be the one to watch.
Match Facts & Stats
Match Facts & Stats courtesy of the BBC, Reading were on a six-game winless run when they last met Fulham at the Madejski in April and won 1-0. Reading gained their first victory on Fulham turf in 16 years with a 0-1 triumph in this corresponding fixture in November last year.
Home and away: League (inc PL): Fulham 11 wins, Reading 12, Draws 7
Prem: Fulham 0 wins, Reading 2, Draws 0
At Fulham only: League (inc PL): Fulham 6 wins, Reading 4, Draws 5
Prem: Fulham 0 wins, Reading 1, Draws 0
Ref Watch:
Mark Clattenberg (Tyne & Wear)
Match Prediction:
Both will think they can win, and both could win. We have not been good away from the Madejski Stadium this season so all signs are pointing to a draw?
Next Fixture: Arsenal
@ The Madejski Stadium a week Monday, 20.00.
It could go either way, both teams will want to win, and will feel they can.
Score draw!
1-1 draw for me, two teams struggling at the moment, so cant see been their a winner.
Fulham probably need it more than you though!
looks like it all went a bit pear-shaped then!
i don’t like fulham but you guys are also not the real blue and white hoops so i pick 2-2
Its an early season six pointer with a lot at stake already in the season.
Not the result i was expecting and leeking far to many goals at the moment.
I thought it would be a goalscoring draw, and but for Niemi it would have been. On another day we would have won, we can’t keep relying on home form though.