After Tuesday’s defeat to Crystal Palace, the Royals are back at the Madejski Stadium again on Saturday and this time we welcome Scunthorpe. A full match preview is here…
Vital Quotes: Marek Matejovsky
‘Everyone was really disappointed with the result as we played some good football in the last few games and we were all looking for a good result on Tuesday. But we must forget that now and be ready for Saturday which will be a good chance to put it all right again. Scunthorpe are a good side, but if we play our best then I think we can win the game.’
Reading Team News:
Simon Church faces a late fitness test on the back injury that forced him to miss the defeat to Crystal Palace, but he is only rated 50/50 and could have to wait for a first team return. Shane Long serves the final game of his three match ban and midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson could return after being rested in midweek.
Brynjar Gunnarsson and Jimmy Kebe could be the ones to make way if Rodgers does decide to make chances to his starting 11.
Player to watch: Jobi McAnuff
McAnuff has been our most creative player ever since he joined but in recent weeks he has been looking unplayable. If his team mates can start converting some of the chances he creates then we could be set for a home win.
Scunthorpe Team News:
Martin Woolford is likely to miss the game with a bruised foot that he sustained in the midweek draw with Barnsley, but fellow midfielder Michael O’Connor is set to return. First choice keeper Joe Murphy is suspended after picking up his 5th yellow card of the season at Oakwell on Wednesday, and that will give him a chance to rest the knee injury he picked up last Sunday when he smashed into the goal post against Coventry.
Player to watch: Gary Hooper
Striker Hooper spent time at the Madejski Stadium on trial a number of years ago but didn’t make the grade and has worked his way back upto the Championship via the lower leagues and is the Iron’s star player. He scored 30 goals last season as Scunthorpe were promoted and he is likely to give the Royals defence a busy afternoon.
Last Meeting
Who can forget ‘Sunny Scunny’ day back in February 2000 when the Royals away following was boosted with another theme day. Darren Caskey and Jim McIntyre scored the goals in a 2-2 draw.
Match Prediction:
The confidence we gained from our mini revival would have beenn knocked after the defeat in midweek, but I can see us bouncing back and perhaps getting a draw. 1-1
Next Fixture:
Saturday 19th December 2009 Bristol City (A)
