Royals v Coventry City

Coventry City are the visitors to the Mad Stad on Saturday and that means the return of Adie Williams who will be hoping his side can repeat last season?s performance at Reading when they won 2-1. But on paper it looks like a certain win for the Royals with Coventry struggling for points after picking up 32 from 28 games so far, leaving them in 16th place.

Away from home Coventry are not the best travellers, but they have been able to pull off recent away win at Queens Park Rangers in the league and last weekend they knocked Brighton out of the FA Cup with a 1-0 win at the Withdean Stadium.

Vital Quotes:

Steve Coppell

‘This will be a test, Coventry are a side who pose a number of real problems. We’ll have to be on our toes to get something.’

‘I’m sure the Reading public will pay their respects for the terrific job he (Adie Williams) did.

‘They know he’s a Reading man at heart, he put in many years here, he still has a warm feeling for the place and he keeps in touch with what goes on here.’

Reading Team News:

There will no doubt be changes made to the side that drew with West Brom in the FA Cup as Steve Coppell welcomes back key players who were rested for that game.

Marcus Hahnemann, Ibrahima Sonko, Glen Little, Bobby Convey and Kevin Doyle should all return. Graeme Murty is also over a back complaint and stands a chance of returning to the squad.

There is also better news for Leroy Lita who continued his comeback from an ankle injury, he had already done a half hour substitute stint in the Baggies game so he won?t be too far off getting back to full fitness.

Player to watch: Kevin Doyle:

It?s a toss up who will be finding the net between Doyle and Kitson. I have a sneaky feeling it will be Mr Doyles turn this week.

Coventry City Team News:

Coventry manager Micky Adams has no new injury problems, just a couple of long term absentees.

Defender Robert Page is out of the squad with his double fracture of the cheekbone while a double dose of knee surgery means we wont be seeing Stuart Giddings.

Stephen Hughes continues to struggle with an Achilles tendon problem and fellow midfielder Isaac Osbourne will be missing for the rest of the season after suffering ruptured lateral knee ligaments.

Player to watch: Gary McSheffrey.

On the mark for the Sky Blues 12 times so far this season and most recently scored last week in the game away to Brighton which should have lifted his confidence and hunger for goals.

Match Facts & Stats

Out of their last eight games, Coventry have managed five wins, one draw and just two defeats. Way from home they have beaten QPR and Brighton in that eight, recent defeats away from home have been against Preston and Leeds (both 3-1)

In the gave at the Richo Arena earlier in the season Kevin Doyle gave the Royals the lead on 68 minutes, but a late goal from Robert Page gave the two teams a point each.

There have been 42 meetings between the two teams in history with Reading wining 16, Coventry winning 14 and 12 draws.

Ref Watch:

Unknown as of yet (check back later for information.)

Match Prediction:

Steve Coppell will now be wanting to reach the point of no return as soon as possible now that a big lead has been established and with players being rested last week, I can only see a Royals win in this one. I?d go for 2-0.

Next Fixtures:

17/01/2006: Reading v West Brom ? FA Cup (20:00)
20/01/2006: Palace v Reading (7.45)