After a valiant, fighting effort at Stamford Bridge just two days ago, the Royals are jetting off up north, as they prepare to face Sunderland tomorrow. The Black Cats drew their opening game 0-0, while the Royals are still looking for their first win.
Vital Quotes:
Reading midfielder Danny Guthrie on returning to Wearside: – ‘It will be nice to go there. I’ve played there a couple of times and it`s a harsh environment, but it`s just another game and it`s about the team. We need to pick ourselves up quickly as we have a big game tomorrow.”
Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell on his team’s opponents: – ‘If Reading play good football, they’ve got half a chance. Swansea did brilliantly last season and they’ve started on fire again this year. It won’t be a game where we’ll be thinking ‘yeah we’ll win this one’ we`re going to have to go out and work as hard as we did against Arsenal on Saturday’
Sunderland Team News:
The Black Cats will be without defender Phil Bardsley for this game, who requires an ankle operation. Midfielder David Vaughan is also injured, while Wes Brown is also a doubt for the game.
Player to watch: James McClean
The former Reading target has made a huge impression at the Stadium of Light since his move from Derry City. Powerful, pacey winger with great end product.
Reading Team News:
Reading will welcome back striker Jason Roberts from suspension for this game, but will only play some part if his calf injury has fended off. Midfielder Jem Karacan is back to full fitness, but is likely to be replaced in the starting XI by Adam Le Fondre.
Player to watch: Danny Guthrie
The former Newcastle man will not get the warmest of welcomes from the home crowd, but will want to silence his doubters. Unarguably Reading’s best player so far and was Vital Reading’s MotM against Chelsea on Wednesday.
Expected line-ups:
Sunderland: Mignolet; Gardner, Cuellar, O’Shea, Richardson; Larsson, Cattermole (c), Colback, McClean; Sessegnon; Campbell
Reading: Federici; Gunter, Pearce, Gorkss, Harte; McCleary, Leigertwood, Guthrie, McAnuff (c); Pogrebnyak, Le Fondre
Match Prediction:
The Royals could be a tad tired after only playing on Wednesday night and flying to Sunderland two days later. I could however see us sneak another draw. 1-1.
Next Fixtures:
Sunderland – Morecambe (H) – Tues 28th August – Capital One Cup Second Round
Reading – Peterborough (H) – Tues 28th August – Capital One Cup Second Round
