When : Saturday, 9th February, 3pm
Where : Hillsborough, Sheffield, S6 1SW
Capacity : 39,812
Away Stand : Leppings Lane, Upper Tier
What might I see in the area : Whippets, flat caps, dourness but absolutely no stereotyping
The disastrous mess of a season continues in Sheffield for a part 1 of a 2 parter in the steel city that concludes next week at Brammall Lane.
Wednesday have settled down into thorough mid table obscurity and have form to match with 3 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats from their last 9 league games. They haven’t conceded in either of their last 2 league games both of which have been won. At home, Derby were the last visitors to be successful way back in November so as ever this one is going to be difficult for Reading. Add to that the “must impress Steve Bruce” factor and Reading and you get something that’s about as difficult as it can be when facing a mid-table team with, already, nothing to play for.
Sheffield don’t appear to have too may injuries of any note and their deadline day loan signings (Dominic Iorfa, Rolando Aarons and Achraf Lazaar) will be anxious to cement their place in the starting XI as well as impress their parent clubs. As will those for Reading of course. Reading’s injuries are well known. It’s totally unknown at the moment, but I can’t see Oliveira being considered able to play (and it’d probably be no surprise if he’ll missed 2/3 games at least) so Bod should be back in the frame after “domestic duties”.
Referee
The expected referee for this one is John Brooks who is currently enjoying a 100% record with Reading but at least the club have scored in each game.
Previously
26 Jan 18 > Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 Reading (FA Cup 4)
23 Dec 17 > Reading 1-2 Burton Albion
Historically
Not a particularly happy hunting ground for Reading but then probably about average for the club for a northern trek and only eleven previous league visits. Of those eleven games three have been won and five lost.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket and travel up north
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use an iFollow subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)