News and Views

Royals Face Burnley Aiming For Play-Offs

02 May 2014
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading face Burnley at the Madejski Stadium this weekend knowing that victory will guarantee us a place in the Championship play-offs. The Royals enter the final game of the regular season knowing that they simply need to match or do better than Brighton. If both Reading and Brighton lose then a big Blackburn victory could still see Reading miss out in a very unlikely outcome.

Reading lost to Burnley earlier this season, going down 1-2 to the side that were then top of the table. Before that Reading were on a run of five straight victories over Burnley. In the 2008/2009 season Reading lost out to Burnley in the Championship play-offs, losing both games. This time around, if we do qualify for the play-offs, we won't be meeting Burnley who are already promoted with a second placed finish.

Reading couldn't have ended the season with a much tougher match. The visitors may have "nothing to play for" but have only lost three games away from home all season and are certain to provide very tough opposition in game that Reading have to go all out to win. Burnley are currently on a run of three straight victories - and they haven't conceeded a single goal in those games. Meanwhile Reading have only won 1 out of the last 8 home fixtures. The game is set to see the biggest home attendance of the season, with most tickets now sold, and will also be screened live on TV alongside Brighton's game at Nottingham Forest.

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