When : Saturday 1st October 2022, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
And now the fun begins thanks to the farce of the Qatar World Cup. After a couple of weeks rest all hell now breaks loose with 10 games in 43 days which is basically a game every 4 days or so. Quite how clubs are expected to maintain players at reasonable levels of fitness and freshness over this period is unknown as even those with larger squads are going to be pushed to the limit let alone Reading with its smaller range of options and excellent injury record.
Anyway first up in this mess is a visit from last year’s losing play off finalists, Huddersfield Town. The Terriers have not started particularly well and are struggling in the relegation zone after losing several of last year’s team. However if you think that’s going to mean easy pickings then you’re likely to be very wrong as Huddersfield’s decision to dump manager Danny Schofield has left the team in the caretakership of Paul Harsley and Narcís Pèlach, so they may well now be a fairly unknown quantity in terms of formation and tactics - and even more so if a new chap arrives before Saturday (Michael Carrick seems to be favourite amongst some at the moment).
Huddersfield have won just 2 of their 9 games so far but are on a 100% winning run of 1 game from 1 following their home success over Cardiff last time out. They are fairly consistent away from home at the moment though having played 3 and lost 3 (at Brum, Bristol and Norwich). So another reason there then for Reading to be on their guard on the day.
While the likes of Harry Toffolo and Lewis O’Brien are no longer at the club they have acquired Faustino Anjorin on loan from Chelsea 2 goals in 6(2) appearances and Danny Ward is still providing the forward threat. In addition Jordan Rhodes seems to be finding a bit of form having bagged 2 in 2 starts.
Reading are hoping the international break does not see the likes of Loum, Hoilett, Joao or Hendrick return with any problems while the “rest period” may well allow Ejaria, Long and former Terrier Naby Sarr to return to the squad for a place on the bench following injury. Andy Carroll may get the nod to start, ahead of Joao given the travelling Joao had with Angola plus the next game being a visit from Norwich on Tuesday.
Huddersfield are likely to be without Matty Pearson and Tyreese Simpson through injury.
Referee
Oliver “1 win in 15 games” Langford
Previously
09 Feb 22 > Bristol City 2-1 Reading
30 Oct 21 > Reading 0-2 Bournemouth
01 May 21 > Norwich City 4-1 Reading
16 Feb 21 > Bristol City 0-2 Reading
02 Dec 20 > Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Reading
19 Apr 19 > Bristol City 1-1 Reading
24 Nov 18 > Wigan Athletic 0-0 Reading
22 Aug 18 > Blackburn Rovers 2-2 Reading
17 Mar 18 > Norwich City 3-2 Reading
26 Dec 17 > Bristol City 2-0 Reading
28 Oct 17 > Reading 0-2 Middlesbrough
12 Jan 17 > Reading 0-1 Queens Park Rangers
03 Dec 16 > Fulham 5-0 Reading
04 Oct 16 > Portsmouth 2-2 Reading U23 (Trophy thing)
27 Sep 16 > Brentford 4-1 Reading
19 Jan 16 > Reading 5-2 Huddersfield Town (FA Cup)
16 Dec 15 > Hull City 2-1 Reading
11 Mar 14 > Leeds United 2-4 Reading
14 Dec 13 > Huddersfield Town 0-1 Reading
06 Mar 12 > Reading 1-0 Portsmouth
27 Aug 11 > Hull City 1-0 Reading
16 Oct 10 > Reading 0-1 Swansea City
Historically
The first time Reading played Huddersfield was at Elm Park in October 1975, since then then there has been another 24 home league games and, overall, Reading have the edge by 12 wins to 5 and have scored 39 to the Terrier’s 28. Recently though it’s been pretty poor for Reading with just 1 win from the last 7 home league games.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket and go
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use a RoyalsTV subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)