When : Saturday 9th November, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
Luton Town are the next visitors to the Mad Stadium. It’s been a while since Luton last rolled in for a league game, back in 2005, and since then they’ve plummeted right down and out of the FL and then climbed right the way back up again so you can’t say it’s been uneventful for their fans over the last 14 years while they were killing time waiting for a league game with Reading.
As per every other game in this league this is going to be another awkward little number to have to negotiate. Yes Luton are struggling and yes Luton are now below Reading in the table but let’s face it Reading have hardly been setting the world alight and in recent seasons the home form has generally been an abomination with many a perceived relegation struggler popping in to say hello and then leaving with at least a point if not all three.
At least Mr Bowen seems to be steadying and improving the club’s fortunes so far but it is still early days and while things are on the up a little there are still signs that it’s not quite right, as demonstrated by the last half hour against Millwall, so this is one where you should take nothing for granted and hope the club do their homework on the opposition.
Luton arrive on the back of three successive defeats and only 2 wins from their last 9 games but those 2 wins were at Blackburn and a 3-0 stuffing of Bristol City at Kenilworth Road (and they’ve only failed to score in 3 league games) so there are moments of sufficient capability within their squad that will have to be correctly monitored and stifled. James Collins and Harry Cornick are the two that do most damage, each with 5 goals while Kazenga Lualua and Callum McManaman are probably the most threatening of the creative players to watch.
Reading’s injury problems have doubled with doubts over both Liam Moore and Rafael to add to the continued absence of Boye and Joao. MB could go to four at the back or use Blackett or McIntyre to fill in if Moore doesn’t make it while Walker will replace Rafael if necessary.
Finally, being the 9th November, there should be the standard one minute’s silence for Remembrance Day before kick off.
Referee
Andy Woolmer makes a quick return in the hope that he might see some football from the home team
Previously
01 Oct 19 > Reading 1-4 Fulham
19 Jan 19 > Derby County 2-0 Reading
18 Oct 16 > Reading 1-2 Aston Villa
27 Aug 16 > Cardiff City 0-1 Reading
23 Aug 14 > Nottingham Forest 4-0 Reading
08 Apr 14 > Bournemouth 3-1 Reading
29 Oct 11 > Crystal Palace 0-0 Reading
12 Apr 11 > Scunthorpe United 0-2 Reading
15 Apr 10 > Reading 3-0 Coventry City
16 Sep 08 > Reading 6-0 Sheffield Wednesday
17 Sep 05 > Reading 1-0 Crewe Alexandra
Historically
Only 22 league seasons have been shared with Luton as although a similar style of provincial club they have spent a couple of lengthy periods circulating in the first and second divisions while Reading were successfully trying to avoid any appearance of ambition.
Of the previous 22 league games played in Reading 13 have been won by the hoops with 5 going the way of the hats.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket and travel to the game
- 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)