Well the games are coming thick and fast and next up is a very awkward trip to an in form Leeds United. As ever with the fixture computer a trip to West Yorkshire would seem to a logical step for a midweek game for any side south of Oxford and so that is where Jaap will be taking his troops.
Leeds are one of the better performers in this division and easily contenders for the play off spots so this one is quite possibly the most difficult game Reading will have played since they visited Newcastle. Leeds have lost just twice in their last 8 and their most recent defeat saw them lose to two penalties at the Amex on Friday night
Leeds will be without Kalvin Phillips (suspension), Eunan O'Kane and Liam Bridcutt are also major doubts and may not feature in the game. There is also some concern amongst Leeds fans over the fitness of star defender Pontus Jansson who was subbed after 88 minutes on Friday night.
For Reading it'll be pretty much the same as it was Saturday with Williams still suspended and Rakels, Swift and Quinn all definitely out. Believe there may also be a slight worry over Tyler Blackett but we may not know more on this until the team is finalised. The biggest question over team selection though is whether Kermorgant will start the game or continue to be eased back to match fitness with an appearance from the bench for the last 25 minutes or so. Personally I think he'll start the match and therefore expect the starting XI to be : Habsi, Gunter, McShane, Moore L, Blackett, Obita, Berg, Evans, McCleary, Beerens, Kermorgant
Taking command of proceedings in the bitterly cold sweepings of a December evening in the north will be County Durham's Geoff Eltringham
Previously with Mr Eltringham
02 Apr 2016 > Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Reading
12 Dec 2015 > Preston North End 1-0 Reading
07 Apr 2015 > Blackpool 1-1 Reading
23 Nov 2013 > Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Reading
14 Feb 2012 > Derby County 0-1 Reading
63 yellows and 3 reds so far from 19 games from Mr Eltringham that's an average of almost 5 yellows a game. However the record might be skewed a little as he booked 8 and sent off 1 when Cardiff went to Villa Park a few weeks ago plus a further 18 bookings have been dished out in just 3 games
Historically
Games at Elland Road really weren't very common until this century and only 10 seasons have been shared by the two clubs and only 3 of those were before 2000. Of the 10 league games played there Reading have won two and lost four so not quite as bad as you'd think but Elland Road is still an intimidating place to go if you're not in the right frame of mind and especially for a midweek game.
Worst Defeat : 6-2 (12 Nov 1927)
Best win : 2-4 (11 Mar 2014)
3 of the 4 drawn games have been 0-0 and of all the games between to two sides up there that have produced a decisive result (that's a total of 8 games including the two league cup ties in the 1990s) in only one has one of the teams failed to score.
