The Royals welcome Brendan Rodgers back to the Madejski Stadium for the first time since his departure last December. He brings his Swansea side sitting just one place behind us in the table and it promises to be an exciting game on Saturday afternoon.
A full match preview is here….
Vital Quotes:
Royals manager Brian McDermott –
‘It`s not a must-win game, but it is a game we are both trying to win. We look at it as an opportunity as we are playing at home and have a fantastic home record in 2010.’
Striker Shane Long –
‘Other than not scoring goals for my own benefit the team are doing well and I can`t really complain. I would like to score more goals, but I feel like I am playing well and the team is in a good position in the table.’
Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers on his return to the Madejski Stadium –
‘Looking back it was the right club at the wrong time for me. I didn`t think 21 games was long enough, of course. I had no problem with the chairman, but maybe there were things surrounding him that weren`t quite right.’
Reading Team News:
Brian McDermott has a number of players returning from injury and suspension including Matt Mills and Brian Howard but he could opt to keep the same side that drew with Preston 2 weeks ago, and got 7 points of a possible 9 in the last three games.
Brynjar Gunnarsson will miss the game though through injury, and Hal Robson Kanu is being monitered after missing Wales 4-1 defeat to Switzerland on Tuesday night.
Player to watch: Shane Long
Striker impressed for Ireland in the recent international break, scoring against Russia, and he is sure to lead the line for the Royals on Saturday. His work rate is second to none but he needs to start finding the back of the net, especially after Noel Hunt scored a hat trick in midweek for the reserves.
Swansea Team News:
Top scorer Scott Sinclair will return to the side after missing two of the last three games for the Swans. Darren Pratley and Stephen Dobbie are also fit enough to take their places in the starting 11.
Player to watch: Stephen Dobbie
The Scottish striker struggled in his first season in Wales, and ended up on loan at Blackpool last season. After guiding them to the Premiership he was expected to sign for the Seasiders, but has returned to the Liberty Stadium and seems to have found his feet leading the line for Brendan Rodgers side.
Last Meeting
26th December 2009, Reading 1-1 Swansea
Match Prediction:
This should be an entertaining game and I am backing us to win, 2-0, with Shane Long finding his scoring boots and bagging a brace.
Next Fixture:
Tuesday 19th October 2010, Bristol City (A)
