After a successful victory away at Millwall last weekend, Reading return home to the Madejski Stadium, where they have scored twelve goals in two games. Our opponents tomorrow though will probably be less of pushovers than Bolton and Blackpool, as Sheffield Wednesday are unbeaten away from home under the new stewardship of Stuart Gray. However, the Owls have only won one of those five, despite only conceding three goals in those five.
Vital Quotes:
Reading manager Nigel Adkins – ‘The foot is firmly down on the pedal, there’s no letting up on the good form that we’ve had of late – so everybody is contributing, making a difference, working hard for each other and the atmosphere here is great. Stu has taken over in full time capacity, and they’re in a rich rein of form similar to ourselves. They don’t concede many goals, they haven’t been losing games, but again it’s a game that we’re looking forward to.’
Reading Team News:
Adkins revealed recently that both the central midfield duo of Hope Akpan and Danny Guthrie are fit. Akpan was brought off against Millwall with a shin problem, while Guthrie has missed the previous five games due to injury, but has had a full week of training.
Defenders Sean Morrison and Wayne Bridge could return to full training next week, but won’t be considered for this one. Out-of-contract midfielder Chris Baird is still recovering from an ankle injury, while Jem Karacan, Mikele Leigertwood and Jason Roberts are all long-term absentees.
Player to watch: Adam le Fondre
Alfie was recently rewarded with January player of the month after two consecutive home hat tricks and I’m sure he will be looking to make it a hat trick of home hat tricks! He failed to score against Millwall, so will want to get off the mark again.
Sheff Wed Team News:
Stuart Gray has some defensive problems ahead of this one, with Kamil Zayatte, Reda Johnson, Lewis Buxton, Glenn Loovens, Anthony Gardner and Rafael Floro are all injured for this one, while American defender Oguchi Onyewu will have a late fitness test due to a calf problem. The duo of Jermaine Johnson and Giles Coke are both serving suspensions, while former Royals winger Michail Antonio is set to feature after a lengthy absence.
Player to watch: Michail Antonio
The former Royals winger is only likely to retain a place from the bench after recently returning from injury, but he will want to prove his old club his worth, after failing to get first team opportunities at the Madejski Stadium. He scored in the reverse fixture and had a blinder, but Stephen Kelly was certainly making him look good!
Expected line-ups:
Reading – 4-4-2: McCarthy, Gunter, Pearce, Gorkss, Obita, McCleary, Akpan, Williams, McAnuff, Pogrebnyak, Le Fondre
Sheffield Wednesday – 4-4-2: Kirkland, Palmer, Onyewu, Llera, Mattock, Maguire, Lee, Semedo, Maghoma, Nuhiu, Afobe
Match Prediction:
This game won’t be as easy as the Bolton and Blackpool games, that’s for sure. Wednesday have improved massively under Stuart Gray and will be a tough not to crack. Despite this, I still think we will come out with the three points to try and cement our play-off place.
Vital Reading prediction: Reading 1 – 0 Sheffield Wednesday
Next Fixtures:
Reading – QPR(A) – Sun 16th February – SkyBet Championship
Sheff Wed – Wigan (H) – Tues 11th February – SkyBet Championship
