Reading FC Corner 1 - Matches (previews, live comments & final whistle)

SATURDAY 25TH AUGUST 2018
CHAMPIONSHIP
Aston Villa v Reading MATCH PREVIEW
KO - 3.00pm
 
New signing Anwar El Ghazi is available to make his Aston Villa debut against Reading after the winger's loan move from Lille. Villa are also hoping to sign Everton's Yannick Bolasie but it may not be done in time for him to play on Saturday.

Reading lost a 2-0 lead to draw with Blackburn on Wednesday and are still waiting for their first league win of the season. Josh Sims will hope to start after coming off the bench at Ewood Park.


Match facts


Aston Villa have won 10 of their last 11 home matches against Reading in all competitions (L1).

Reading have kept one clean sheet in their last 21 matches against Aston Villa in all competitions, a 2-0 win in February 2007.

Aston Villa striker Jonathan Kodjia has scored in each of his last two Championship matches - he last scored in three in a row in April 2017.

Reading have won just one of their last 17 away matches in all competitions (D6 L10), a 3-1 win over Burton Albion in the Championship in January.

Steve Bruce has not lost any of his last 15 home matches in all competitions in the month of August (W11 D4) since losing the Tyne-Wear derby at the Stadium of Light against Newcastle as Sunderland boss.

Since the start of last season, Reading have conceded seven goals via penalties in the Championship - only Hull have conceded more (8).
 
from BBC Sport

Football London


Paul Clement on Reading FC's draw with Aston Villa, McShane absence and message for fans


Reading manager Paul Clement hailed his side's character after they secured a point with a stoppage time penalty against Aston Villa. Striker Sam Baldock blasted the ball home in the dying minutes at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon to earn Royals their second successive draw in the Championship. Clement said the manner of the draw meant it felt like a win and his players did superbly under pressure. Here are his views in full to the media post match.


On the result
Every game you have an opportunity to take all three points and that's what we really needed. But Aston Villa are a really good side who have made a good start and have fantastic backing so it's a bit like Blackburn where it's a good point for us. I learned a lot about the team, especially when we had the good chance with Baldock on 83 minutes - it was a fantastic double save from their goalkeeper. The players didn't fold and kept going until the end. I don't know whether it was a penalty because I've not seen it back. We had one go against us midweek but the fact is this one was given. Baldock stepped up well, took the pressure and got us the point. I'm proud of the players for their determination under difficult circumstances because we were under a lot of pressure.


On the penalty
When I saw it I thought it was going to be 50/50. Obviously I was delighted when it was given. On giving away chances in the second half. It would be unrealistic to limit a team like Villa to virtually nothing. That's where you have to be as good as you can be with the defending. We didn't get off to the best start and couldn't get beyond them. We sustained a lot of pressure but in the second half it was a bit better. After they scored they became a bit more open and there was a lot of fatigue at the end and that's where mistakes are made.


On the point being a springboard
We've been on the wrong end of some really fine margins. It looked like it could be that again. We were going to be beaten by one goal - no-one has beaten us by more. Hopefully it's a springboard. It's a good confidence booster, getting a point at a difficult place but it's now about the home form. We want to do well in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and then there is a very important game against Sheffield Wednesday. If we can win that then it's a stable situation going into the international break.


On Sims' impact
I said to the players before the game it's not just the 11 - it's everybody even if you're not on the pitch. You've got to be involved in creating a good spirit and helping your teammates. Those that came on did well and made the difference


On Barrow's withdrawal
He came off because his groin has flared up a bit. So we thought no risk and I thought it was reflected in his performance. Mo's better than that. It wasn't until the end of the half when I thought 'that's exactly what we want from you.' He wasn't feeling good and fresh so that's why we made the change.


On McShane's absence
Paul's played a couple of games and with the age he is we have to make sure he's around for the entire season. We don't want to push him too much and potentially break him because then he's out so it was just a matter of giving him a rest. He's available for selection so we'll see whether I use him on Wednesday.
On conceding seven goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half in his time as manager
I wasn't aware of that. I'd rather not look at the timing of the goals and more the nature of them. The Villa goal was exactly something we had spoken about. They love to put crosses in the box - it's easy saying it, when you're out there there is pressure. I don't take note about the timing of things. Maybe after a greater number of games when we have more data then stats can be more telling but it's too soon to use stats too much.


On the week as a whole
If we come away and gets points that's fine.  But we have to better at home. That's clear.
 
Original: https://www.football.london/reading-fc/paul-clement-reading-fcs-draw-15072308

EFL Cup


WED 29 AUG 2018
20:00
Madejski Stadium
 

READING  v WATFORD

SAT 01 SEPT 2018 - CHAMPIONSHIP


15:00 KO - Madejski Stadium
 
READING  v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

Desperate stuff...

READING 1 WEDNESDAY 2

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45304571 

Reading manager Paul Clement:
"It's not great, it's very frustrating for me, the players and the club how we've started this season.The reason we are where we are is we're not good enough. We've got to start doing the basics better. The second goal we concede comes within 20 seconds of us talking in the changing room about how we're going to try and force our way back into the game and what jobs we need to do. Suddenly the ball's in the back of the net and we're left with a mountain to climb. Clearly I'm going to be looking very, very closely at how I prepare this team."

BBC Sport

Saturday 15th Sept 2018
KO 3.00pm

Championship

PRESTON NE v READING


Preston will be without midfielder Ben Pearson, who starts a three-match suspension. Fellow midfielder Ryan Ledson is also banned for the home side.

Reading could include new signing Saeid Ezatolahi in the squad for the first time having joined too late to be involved in their match before the international break. 
David Meyler is doubtful for a trip to Deepdale on Saturday with a minor injury issue.

Match facts
** Preston have won their last three home league matches against Reading without conceding a goal.
** Reading haven't won back to back league matches against Preston since May 2010.
** Preston haven't lost any of their last 10 matches in all competitions in September (W5 D5).
** Paul Clement's last league win as Reading manager came against Preston in April 2018 - since then, the Royals have collected just four points in 11 matches (W0 D4 L7).
**Preston's Tom Barkhuizen has scored more Championship goals against Reading than any other side (3).
** Paul Clement hasn't won any of his last 13 away matches as a manager (D3 L10), with his last win on the road coming against Reading as Swansea manager last September in the League Cup.

MATCH  REPORT - Sports Mole


PRESTON 2 READING 3

Leandro Bacuna nets winner for Reading in five-goal thriller with Preston


Leandro Bacuna was Reading's unlikely match-winner as they beat fellow Championship strugglers Preston 3-2 after a real rollercoaster ride at Deepdale. Striker Sam Baldock gave the visitors a 23rd-minute lead against the run of play with a clinical strike, before Jamaican midfielder Daniel Johnson levelled matters eight minutes later with a powerful shot. Portuguese defender Tiago Ilori netted his first Reading goal and first for nearly four years to put the Royals in front again, only for Callum Robinson to equalise for the hosts with a tap-in. But there was still time for Dutch midfielder Bacuna to slot home with nine minutes remaining for his first goal since November 2017 to give the Royals their first league win of the season.
As early as the second minute Tom Barkhuizen dragged a shot wide for the hosts as they started the brighter. Then in the 11th minute keeper Sam Walker did well to block Robinson's goalbound left-footed strike. Barkhuizen rifled over with a powerful shot not long after, while at the other end Sone Aluko fired wide with a wild effort from distance. Barkhuizen then powered a header against the left upright from a delightful Robinson delivery. But it was the Royals who took the lead against the run of play having soaked up a barrage of pressure. Baldock latched on to John Swift's neat pass and slotted into the bottom left-hand corner despite keeper Declan Rudd getting a partial hand on the ball. It was Baldock's second goal in four games and was a sucker-punch for the Lilywhites who had dominated the opening exchanges. But the home side were level shortly after the half-hour mark. Robinson's left-footed strike was brilliantly blocked by Walker but the rebound fell fortuitously for Johnson who fired home via a deflection. And the hosts could have been ahead two minutes later as Republic of Ireland international Robinson's shot across the box flew agonisingly wide of the far post. Aluko shot well over three minutes after the restart before the Royals took the lead for the second time in the contest. Yakou Meite clipped in a delicate cross across the face of goal and there was Ilori to smash home from close range. Robinson nearly levelled a minute later but his left-footed shot from the edge of the box flew agonisingly wide of the left upright. Substitute Josh Harrop had a great opportunity to equalise for the Lilywhites in the 68th minute, but his curling free-kick from the edge of the area was frustratingly deflected over the bar. Walker then pulled off a wonderful save with his legs to thwart Josh Earl from point-blank range as the hosts looked destined to score. Less than a minute later and the home team were level, Earl's shot blocked before Robinson poked home for his second goal in as many games. However, there was still time for a sting in the tail as the Royals broke on the counter-attack and substitute Josh Sim teed up the unmarked Bacuna to win it.


https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/preston-north-end/result/result-leandro-bacuna-nets-winner-for-reading-in-five-goal-thriller-with-preston_335492.html

READING  v  NORWICH CITY
Wednesday 19th September 2018 - KO 8.00pm
Championship
 
Reading Chronicle


Paul Clement determined to build on Preston win when Royals take on Norwich City
 
PAUL Clement has urged his Reading FC players to use first victory as a catalyst to turn things around, as they prepare to face Norwich City at the Madejski Stadium on Wednesday tonight (8pm ko), writes Jim Tatum. Royals secured their first Championship win of the season with a hard-fought 3-2 victory at fellow strugglers Preston North End on Saturday. Despite being pegged back twice, Reading earned a vital three points with a late winner from Leandro Bacuna.

The win moved Reading off the bottom of the table, though they remain in the relegation zone, and Clement is hoping they can now kick-on and move up the table.


He said: "We've got to use this as a catalyst to move forward. The first six games of the season were close. We could have had more points for sure, but we didn’t.”

Tiago Ilori was among the Reading goalscorers in Saturday's 3-2 win at Preston North End. Clement was keen to point out the character shown by the players, following six games without a win. He also stressed the significance of making a good start following the international break. However, he stressed:
“We didn't feel sorry for ourselves though. We didn't sulk, we got on with it, continued to work and we've come away to a difficult place and we've taken three massive points. But we've got to use that now. We've got two home games against Norwich and Hull in the week ahead - and it would be nice now to back this win up with two good performances and more good results.”
He added: “Those six games before the international break have been boxed off and we've started the next block of games very positively. We look to use the win at Preston as a catalyst."

Paul Clement would love another three points from tonight's clash against Norwich City. A victory against Norwich would see the Royals leapfrog them in the table and move out of the bottom three for the first time this season. Daniel Farke's Canaries will be buoyed by their impressive display at the weekend, where they inflicted a first league defeat of the season on Middlesbrough.

The Royals are without Jordan Obita, Dave Edwards and Adrian Popa who are all side-lined with injury. Garath McCleary and Callum Harriot are both nearing returns, but are doubtful to feature against Norwich. New loan signing Saeid Ezatolahi could be involved for Royals for the first time after receiving his visa.

Sat 22nd Sept 2018
KO 3.00pm

READING   v  HULL CITY
Championship

With not being a season ticket holder this season I'm generally reliant on media coverage. Diab0, do you get BBCRB in Spain?

Tilehurstsouthbank wrote:With not being a season ticket holder this season I'm generally reliant on media coverage. Diab0, do you get BBCRB in Spain?

I don't tune in at least, I like the written word better if you can't see it in your own eyes. 
I wasn't very happy with the Reading Player in the years of subscription...

SAT 29 SEPT 2018 - KO 15:00
CHAMPIONSHIP
BRENTFORD v READING


BBC Match Preview  https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45609725 




Brentford boss Dean Smith will likely revert to his strongest XI after making six changes for the 3-1 Carabao Cup defeat at Arsenal in midweek. Full-back Rico Henry is still reaching match fitness after a knee injury.
Reading's John O'Shea is suspended after his red card against Hull City. Vito Mannone, David Meyler, Jordan Obita and Adrian Popa are all injury concerns, but long-term absentees Garath McCleary and Callum Harriott are edging closer to returns.
 
Reading manager Paul Clement told BBC Radio Berkshire: 
"We approach this game as a single opportunity to get more points and put in another strong performance. When the team plays well, scores goals, keeps a clean sheet and wins well under pressure, you are thinking about rewarding that group of players. But there are some enforced changes through suspension, but with six days since the last game, there's other factors to consider when picking a line-up. Brentford are a very offensive side with some quick and direct players so we'll have to be very good on countering that."
 
Match facts
** Brentford have won five of their last eight league matches against Reading (D1 L2).
** Reading have not kept a clean sheet in their last 23 visits to Brentford in all competitions since a 1-0 win in September 1973.
** Brentford have lost just two of their last 26 Championship games on home soil (W13 D11 L2) and are unbeaten in their last nine (W6 D3) winning each of their previous four.
** Reading have won just one of their last 12 Championship away games (D4 L7), however that victory did come in their last away outing against Preston (3-2).
** Only Swansea City and Ipswich (both 25) have used more players in the Championship this season than Reading (24), whilst Brentford (17) have used three players fewer than any other side in the division.
** Brentford striker Neal Maupay has been directly involved in 11 goals in the Championship this season (eight goals, three assists); the most of any player.

BBC Match Report


Yoann Barbet headed a stoppage-time equaliser to rescue a point for 10-man Brentford against Reading. The Royals came from behind after two mistakes from goalkeeper Daniel Bentley allowed Jon Dadi Bodvarsson to level before the break and John Swift's free-kick to drop over the line in the second half. Said Benrahma was then sent off in the closing stages for two bookable offences, but full-back Barbet nodded in at the back post to secure a point in stoppage time.

Championship top scorer Neal Maupay had earlier opened the scoring for the hosts after slotting the ball past Sam Walker from six yards out. Maupay rolled in his ninth goal of the season after Benrahma found the striker unmarked in the penalty box. But two spillages either side of half-time from Bees shot-stopper Bentley allowed Paul Clement's side to take the lead. A 25-yard shot from Swift was bundled over by Bodvarsson before the midfielder got on the scoresheet after Bentley fumbled his free-kick over the line. Benrahma was handed a second yellow card without hesitation from referee Geoff Eltringham before nine minutes of stoppage time. But despite being down to 10 men, Dean Smith's side flooded forward and Barbet headed in the equaliser from a corner.

Brentford manager Dean Smith:  "I don't think I've ever been involved in a game like that where 10 minutes have been added on and an air ambulance hasn't arrived. They came and slowed the game down and were allowed to do it by the referee, who booked no-one in the first half and then threw cards around like confetti in the second. I'm still trying to sort my head out after that game. It will be interesting watching it back but in the end, I have to praise my side's character in fighting to the end and then going looking for the winner. That's the way we play. Daniel will be disappointed with the two mistakes but he has saved us plenty of times before."

Reading manager Paul Clement told BBC Radio Berkshire:  "(It was a) great game, loads of passion, edge of your seat stuff. We are disappointed to not have taken all three points particularly because they had 10 men on the field. There has been a mental shift in this team and that's pleasing. I think we have turned a corner but we know we have to keep it going. The fans here today were unbelievable for us, absolutely fantastic."

Reading 0  Q.P.R. 1


Paul Clement admits he got the Reading FC team wrong following loss to QPR


Royals' boss says he was at fault for Tuesday's defeat

SAT 06 OCT 2018CHAMPIONSHIP
KO - 15:00
WBA v READING




West Brom winger Matt Phillips faces a fitness test on a muscle strain which has kept him out for three matches. New signing Bakary Sako could be involved at the Hawthorns for the first time since joining from Crystal Palace. 


Strikers Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Sam Baldock are both major doubts for Reading due to calf problems. Manager Paul Clement is expected to make changes after the midweek home defeat by QPR, with John O'Shea and John Swift pushing for a start.

Match facts

§  West Bromwich Albion and Reading last met in February 2016 in the FA Cup fifth round - Reading won 3-1.
§  Reading have lost eight of their last nine away league matches at West Brom (D1) - their last win there came in February 1988, a 1-0 victory.
§  Only Peterborough (28) have scored more league goals than West Brom (27) in the top four tiers this season. 27 goals from 11 games is West Brom's best record from the start of a season since 1958-59 (28).
§  Reading have won just one of their last 13 away league games (D5 L7), recording a 3-2 win at Preston in September.
§  Only Brentford's Neal Maupay (6) has scored more home goals in the Championship this season than West Brom's Dwight Gayle (5).
§  Jon Dadi Bodvarsson has scored 50% of Reading's league goals this season (7/14), and has netted four of their last six in the Championship.


BBC Sport: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45688429

Fulham U18

7 - 0

Reading U18

aargh

READING v BRISTOL CITY

Reading remain firmly in relegation trouble, and with the ‘Royals’ losing every single one of their home games against top-half opposition thus far, they will hardly be relishing the prospect of facing their weekend visitors.

The Royals’ biggest weakness is maintaining their stamina in the second-half. This is especially the case at the Madejski Stadium, with Reading being the only Championship team to have taken zero points from all home matches which have seen them level or behind at the break.

This, combined with Bristol’s reputation for being strong in the first-half of away matches, will put Reading under heavy pressure to attack from the off. The ‘Robins’ have trailed at half-time only once in seven away league matches this season, returning a good record of: W3, D2, L1, from the other six.

Bristol City’s ability to frustrate opponents is further evidenced by the fact that all of their away league wins so far have come with a clean sheet. Each of their last seven league games have also seen a winning margin either way of less than 1.5 goals.

Players to watch: Sam Baldock has scored in each of Reading’s league wins this term, with all of his goals arriving in the first-half, and Baldock being the first scorer in two those wins.

In the visitor’s dressing room, Niclas Eliasson (BRI) netted the winner against Brentford in his last Championship road trip.

Stat attack: Reading are without a clean sheet in six matches, with eight of their last ten seeing both teams score.

Additionally, the Royals are without a clean sheet in four matches against Bristol (in all competitions).

Each of Bristol’s last two league wins (both 1-0) have come via goals after the 85th minute.

READING 3 BRISTOL CITY 2

Reasons to feel more hopeful for Reading fans.
 
Reading first six games   0 wins 2 draws 4 loses  2 points.
 
Readings last 10 games  4 wins 1 draw  5 loses  13 points. 
 
And they scored some good goals against Bristol City.

WIGAN v READING 

Saturday 24th November, 2018

Championship


A Wigan side on the slide after four-consecutive Championship losses will aim to remedy that sorry streak as they take on Reading – a team they haven’t beaten here since 2013/14. Defeat for the hosts and it will be five league losses in a row for the first time since December 2016 – Wigan’s Championship relegation season. At home, however, the ‘Latics’ have cause for confidence having lost at the DW Stadium just once this league season (W5, D2, L1). In fact if home form was counted alone, Wigan would be in sixth ahead of this round, rather than 16th. The first-half appears to be a make or break period for Wigan, with seven of their nine league defeats involving a goal conceded before half-time, whereas that is true in only three of their eight fixtures where they secured a result (W6, D2).

On a run of three Championship away losses, Reading have also struggled this season. However, the visitors’ last five games overall (W2, D1, L2) have seen an improvement on earlier form, and allowed the ‘Royals’ to haul themselves out of the relegation places. Although they’ve won just one Championship away game so far (W1, D3, L4), Reading have managed to score in six of their eight road trips. Curiously, they’ve conceded exactly two goals in five of those outings.

Players to watch: Nick Powell has been directly involved in more Championship goals (four goals, four assists) than any of his Wigan teammates. With an impressive six goals in his last five appearances, Yakou Méïté has been integral to Reading’s recent turnaround in form.

Stat attack: Wigan have scored exactly one goal in four of their last six Championship home matches. In three of their last five away league games, Reading conceded in both halves.

WIGAN 0 READING 0


Sky Sports Match Report


Wigan and Reading played out a relatively entertaining goalless draw at the DW Stadium in the Sky Bet Championship, with plenty of attacking intent but a lack of quality at both ends of the field. The home side had a goal rightly disallowed for offside in the first half when Nick Powell - who later limped off injured - nodded home from Reece James' cross. But the visitors were also a threat on the counter, and Wigan goalkeeper Christian Walton made a couple of fine diving saves to preserve another clean sheet.
Reading had the first chance of the game inside five minutes when Garath McCleary walked through the Wigan midfield and his cross-shot was steered goalwards by Yakou Meite, forcing a brilliant save from Walton at point-blank range. The flag was up in any case, but it was impressive stuff from the on-loan Brighton goalkeeper. At the other end, a wonderful cross from the impressive James was flicked on by Kal Naismith for Cedric Kipre, arriving at the far post, but he planted his header wide of the mark. A stinging left-foot strike from Powell, out of nowhere, forced a brilliant tip-over by Anssi Jaakkola, who was helpless from the resulting corner as the Wigan frontman headed home at the near post. Unfortunately for Wigan, there was an offside in the short corner routine and the goal was disallowed.
Reading were almost in front when a cross was met at the near post by Meite, whose effort hit the outside of the post on its way behind. James then headed over his own bar as the Royals threatened, but the visitors were soon on the back foot as Naismith's cross was flicked on by Powell to Nathan Byrne, who showed why he has never scored for Wigan by heading wide from a great position.
Wigan picked up where they had left off at the start of the second half, with Josh Windass denied by Jaakkola, who also moved smartly to deny Gary Roberts, with Windass steering the rebound wide of goal. The Latics were claiming a penalty when Roberts appeared to be tripped as he tried to get on the end of a scramble in the box, but instead he was shown a yellow card for diving. The home side were rocked by the loss of Powell to a hamstring injury, with Joe Garner on in his place. Garner was soon joined up top by Will Grigg - back after a five-game absence - but Reading remained a threat and both Meite and John Swift tested Walton, who was equal to it. Darron Gibson blasted inches wide for Wigan in the closing stages, but neither side proved able to break the deadlock despite five added minutes.
 
The managers


Paul Cook: "I thought we had the better of the chances, albeit Reading had more of the ball at times We had a couple of great opportunities to win the game, which we haven't taken. But after the recent run of defeats, it is nice to get a point."


Paul Clement: "I thought it was a good 0-0, a hard-fought game. Based on the way we've been defending this season I was pleased with the clean sheet. Wigan obviously had a couple of good chances, but I thought equally we had control of the game and produced some good moments. It could have gone either way, and a draw was probably a fair result."




https://www.skysports.com/football/wigan-vs-reading/392758

Tuesday 27th November 2018 (7.45 pm) 

Leeds United v Reading


Championship


Match Preview


Premier League aspirants Leeds United bounced back from a rare loss with victory at home against Bristol City in their last outing, and are well placed to continue their push for the Championship top spot as they host struggling Reading. Leeds continue to perform consistently at home, where they are one of seven clubs to be earning an average of at least two per points per home game (W5, D3, L1). In fact they are enjoying their best start to a Championship season this decade. The hosts have scored in their last six home league games and have every right to be confident about continuing that streak here, especially given that Reading have just two Championship clean sheets to their name in 2018/19. Granted, their second clean sheet came in a 0-0 away draw at the weekend, though it was against the fifth-lowest scoring club in the league, Wigan Athletic.

The visitors have struggled to keep up with the league standard so far, failing to secure any points - home or away - in six matches against clubs currently placed higher than tenth in the table. Furthermore, only six Championship clubs have earned fewer points on the road so far. However, Reading are unbeaten against Leeds in their last three league fixtures, including a 1-0 away win here last season.

Players to watch: Pablo Hernández (Leeds) extended his season tally to six goals and five assists with a Man of the Match effort against Bristol City, while Yakou Méïté (Reading) has six goals in his last six league appearances.

Stat attack: Both teams have scored in just two of the last six H2Hs. Leeds have scored 11 second-half goals at home this Championship season for a GD of +9. Reading have conceded 13 second-half goals on the road for a GD of -8.

QPR v READING
Saturday 29th December 2018
Loftus Road
 
Queens Park Rangers welcome Reading in this Championship clash with the hosts losing only one of their last seven home fixtures (W5, D1, L1), while the visitors are hunting an end to their current eight-game Championship winless away run (D3, L5).


The hosts recorded a 3-0 home win over Ipswich on Boxing Day, making it three consecutive league wins. That win to nil marked a fifth clean sheet in 12 Championship home games this campaign - which remains the joint-third best total in the league. If the ‘Rs’ win this one, it will be the first time since January 2014 that any QPR side has recorded four-straight Championship wins, a season in which they were promoted to the Premier League.

The visitors travel here with just one win in their last 20 Championship away games (W1, D7, L12), with their 1-0 away loss at Millwall this week making it four away matches in the last five in which they failed to score. The fact that Reading have recorded only one clean sheet in their 12 away Championship fixtures will be of particular concern to new manager José Gomes.

Reading’s recent H2H results against their hosts should give their fans some cause for optimism however, with the ‘Royals’ losing just one of their last six competitive trips to Loftus Road, failing to score on only one occasion.
...
Players to watch: QPR striker Nahki Wells has six Championship goals so far, with half scored in his last four appearances. He will face-off against Yakou Meite (Reading), who has six goals in the league.
...
Stat attack: Expect early goals - eleven of QPR’s last 12 Championship home games have produced at least one first-half goal - a league high. Half of Reading’s 24 league games this campaign were settled by a one-goal margin. QPR were leading at half-time in half of their 12 Championship home fixtures – the league’s joint-second best total.

Saturday 5th January 2019


FA Cup 3RD ROUND

Manchester United v Reading


Referee: Attwell S. (Eng), 
Venue: Old Trafford (Manchester)

After becoming only the second manager in Manchester United’s history to win his first four matches in charge, Ole Gunnar Solskjær will look to continue the club’s unbeaten 16-match competitive run against Reading (W12, D4) when they meet in the FA Cup third round. The last time United won five competitive matches in a row was in January 2018, while they have not kept consecutive competitive clean sheets since November. In the FA Cup, United have lost just twice since the start of 2016 (W13, D3, L2) and both have come against Chelsea. It’s three consecutive home wins and an unbeaten seven-match competitive home run (W5, D2) for United, scoring 13 goals in their last four. The ‘Old Trafford fear factor’ could be back on, as United chase a fourth successive competitive home win for the first time since March (W5).

Second from bottom in the Championship and on a winless run of ten games (D5, L5), Reading are a sitting duck this season. It’s even worse away from home, as Reading have won just once in 13 matches this season (W1, D6, L6). ‘The Royals’ have been goal-shy as well, with five of their last six away matches seeing them draw a blank, while they average 1.07 goals per game in 26 Championship matches this season.

Players to watch: Romelu Lukaku (MUN) has four goals in his last seven competitive matches. Winger Callum Harriott (REA), meanwhile, made a goal-scoring return in his last match.

Stat attack: United are unbeaten against Reading in nine FA Cup matches (W7, D2), since losing in January 1927. United have won their last four FA Cup round three games with clean sheets.
Eight of United’s last ten, and four of Reading’s last five FA Cup matches have seen a clean sheet. Reading have failed to score in six of their last ten competitive matches and in four of the last six H2Hs.