Reading face Man Utd on Saturday in what promises to be an explosive last game of the 2006 footballing year.
Steve Coppell`s side held the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw after leading the match at the Madejski Stadium, but Saturday`s fixture promises to be slightly more difficult without the home advantage and Man U on such awesome form.
Reading took a point in their last game, holding Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and will be filled with the ‘I believe I can` confidence that was a huge driving force throughout last season.
But it will be hard for the Royals to get carried away, with Cristiano Ronaldo playing the best football of his young career so far and United looking to protect their four point lead over closest rivals, Chelsea.
Vital Quotes:
Sir Alex On the Royals first league trip to Old Trafford:
‘We have to be wary of Reading.
‘I was not surprised by the way they performed at Chelsea, although I was pleasantly delighted by the result when they drew.
‘It reinforced what we will have to do this weekend. I also plan to use some players who aren’t regulars in the team to show I have confidence in them.’
Reading boss Steve Coppell:
‘We have taken a point off both Manchester United and Chelsea so far and that I suppose is a sign of credibility. And to a certain extent, even though it is only one point it seems like more.
‘Now we have picked up a point against Chelsea it is even more of a reason to celebrate the fact that we are going to such a magnificent stadium and try to enjoy it.
‘Everybody likes the underdog and that’s a great position for us to be in. Both at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford we are, without doubt, massive, massive underdogs.’
Man Utd Team News:
Steve Coppell has yet to decide what formation or tactics he will play facing Man Utd, highlighting Sir Alex Ferguson`s recent announcement of squad rotation as his main reason for not:
“It`s a big problem not knowing their line-up. I was browsing fixtures and saw they`re away at Newcastle on Monday, which will be seen as a fairly big fixture, when realistically our game is not as big.”
“Its still three points but I`m sure Sir Alex will be juggling his squad.”
This seems likely as Man Utd made changes to their usual starting eleven in their Boxing Day game against Wigan. John O`Shea, Mikel Silvestre, Wes Brown, Ole Solskjaer and Ji-Sung Park all started and will be in contention to start again.
Meanwhile Nemanja Vidic and Paul Scholes remain suspended; Cristiano Ronaldo could make a return to the starting team after scoring twice after coming off the bench, and Gary Neville and Louis Saha will both be vying to start in the last game of the 2006.
Michael Carrick is expected to return to the team after missing the Wigan game with a knock to the ankle.
Player to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo
Even if he doesn’t start the pacy winger is having the time of his life this season. Scoring 4 goals in his past 2 games he is sure to be a threat even if he only plays for 10minutes!
Reading Team News:
However Graeme Murty, Reading`s captain, feels the ‘Underdog Title` the team has been handed in their previous match and this one gives them an edge; with no one expecting Reading to take anything from the match the team have the freedom to get right at Man Utd:
“We’re expected to be the underdogs. We know that, we embrace that, so we can say there’s nothing for us to lose, so we’ll go out there and give it our best.”
Steve Coppell has handed Leroy Lita a helping of festive cheer by announcing the striker who scored at Stamford Bridge will retain his place in the starting line up at Old Trafford.
However aside from that Coppell has not yet announced his team revealing:
“Everyone is ok, so it`ll be from the same squad. I`ve not thought about my team yet.”
Reading will of course be without long term injury victims Bobby Convey and Dave Kitson, both of whom are expected to start in the New Year. Although nothing is official, the FA Cup fixture with Burnley could see the players returning to the team.
Reading (from): Hahnemann, Murty, Sonko, Ingimarsson, Shorey, Oster, Sidwell, Harper, Hunt, Seol, Doyle, Lita, Bikey, Gunnarsson, Sodje, de la Cruz, Little, Long.
Player to watch: Kevin Doyle
Occupied the left flank against Chelsea, and looked sharp cutting inside from the channels, if Doyler starts on the wing again he could cause havoc on the Trafford field
Match Facts & Stats
If the Royals win, they will become the only club of all the 92 in the Premiership and Football League who could boast more League wins than defeats against Man Utd. Interesting isn’t it?!
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have won twice as many League games as Reading (16 to eight), and scored twice as many goals (44 to 22).
United scored three goals in both of their festive fixtures to date (0-3 at Aston Villa, and 3-1, home to Wigan), and Cristiano Ronaldo has been integral – scoring twice in both games – will they score three more?
Ref Watch:
Mike Dean will be the man in the middle.
Match Prediction:
Obviously Man Utd are favourites, but I will be putting a little bit of money on Reading to snatch a draw. Try Manu Utd leading at half time and all square by 90minutes, could be a nice wedge of dosh.
sounds liek a tip!