Reading host Middlesbrough in a top of the table clash in the Sky Bet Championship tomorrow. It may be too early to call it a promotion six pointer, but these two sides will certainly be fighting to get into the Premier League for next season. It’s 3rd Vs 2nd at the Madejski and it has the ingredients for an absolute cracker.
Predicted Line-ups
Reading: Bond; Gunter, McShane, Hector, Obita; Mccleary, Norwood, Tshibola, Piazon; Robson-Kanu, Blackman
Boro: Konstantopoulos; Kalas, Gibson, Ayala, Friend; Clayton, Leadbitter; Stuani, Downing, Adomah; Nugent.
Reading Team News:
Reading are still without important trio Anton Ferdinand, Stephen Quinn and Matej Vydra due to injury. However, Striker Orlando Sa has finished his three match ban and will be available for selection again.
Player to watch: Nick Blackman
Blackman is the in-form man in the league and will be looking to continue his fine goal scoring start to the season against Boro. Nick has scored 8 goals in his last 12 and given the opportunities, he’ll rip the Middlesbrough defence apart. If he turns up, I can’t see anything other than a Reading win.
Middlesbrough Team News:
Middlesbrough have one of the best squads in the league with attacking players such as Downing and Nugent in their ranks. Luckily for Karanka, barring two long term injuries to Alex Baptiste and Rhys Williams, he has a fully fit squad to choose from. Boro will be looking to make it 8 wins on the bounce as they face their biggest test yet.
Player to watch: Stewart Downing
Downing is undoubtably premier league standard and he’s showing that week in week out in this Boro side. He is the man pulling the strings in this strong looking side. With the likes of Adomah, Stuani and Nugent around him, Downing has a lot of players to feed through and assist, resulting in a great looking attacking force and Reading will be looking to stop Downing from getting on the ball.
Did You Know?
Our record with Boro is very even. Over the last 27 games, there have been 10 draws, 9 Reading wins and 8 Boro wins. This just shows how tight this fixture is going to be.
Match Prediction:
This is a really tough one to call. With all of the attacking qualities on show, I can only see a goal fest, which probably means it’ll be 0-0. But I am going to go for a 3-2 home win which will send out a real statement to the rest of the league.
Next Fixtures:
17th- Charlton (H)
20th- Rotherham (A)
24th- Fulham (A)
