Oh look, it’s another game against Leeds United. And there could well be another two on the horizon in May just for good measure. Deep joy. Hate home games with Leeds as they are usually so drab, lifeless and extremely difficult to get anything out of.

Expecting them to appear, sling about 7 or 8 across the back all being thoroughly well marshalled and by their Swedish colossus Pontus Jansson and look for the clichéd breakaway header from Chris Wood.

To top it all the game is on the telly which is likely to be another thorn in the possibility of getting a decent performance and/or entertaining game.

Sadly it would seem they have a full strength squad to select from while Reading will still be missing the usuals; Ilori, Harriott, Quinn etc. Rakels could be back to strengthen the bench and one would hope that Paul McShane is fit again to add a bit more organisation to the defence.

There, now I’ve said that here’s hoping to a rip roaring belter of game with plenty of action and end to end thrills with Reading coming out on top and instilling a tad of worry into the opposition in the event of any post league season shenanigans. We know they’re capable of it once and a while so why not Saturday, esp. after the utterly pathetic showing they gave in West Yorkshire which should have left the players anxious to prove themselves.

Referee

Hampshire’s Keith Stroud will once again be enacting his unique performance piece of “decisions to a cacophony of shrill piping sounds”



Previously

14 Feb 2017 > Reading 3-2 Brentford
19 Nov 2016 > Reading 3-0 Burton Albion
28 Dec 2015 > Reading 1-2 Brentford
07 Nov 2015 > Cardiff City 2-0 Reading
03 Oct 2015 > Reading 2-0 Middlesbrough
14 Apr 2015 > Reading 0-1 Bournemouth
29 Mar 2014 > Reading 1-1 Huddersfield Town
11 Jan 2014 > Watford 0-1 Reading
13 Aug 2011 > Leicester City 0-2 Reading
03 Apr 2010 > Ipswich Town 2-1 Reading
06 Feb 2010 > Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Reading
29 Dec 2007 > Tottenham Hotspur 6-4 Reading
22 Sep 2007 > Reading 2-1 Wigan Athletic
25 Feb 2006 > Reading 2-1 Preston North End
23 Aug 2005 > Reading 3-1 Swansea City (League Cup)

Historically

Just 21 league games played so far and all of them (except the first two games played way back in 1927/28) have been since 1986.

Of the 10 home games played so far Reading and Leeds have both managed 3 wins with 4 draws. Looking at the previous results, why anyone would want to bother putting it on telly is a complete mystery as this symmetry continues in a lack of goals. Both clubs only managing 7 strikes each in the 10 games.

Recent form for Leeds is rather useful though with them having avoided defeat since Cardiff did them over on 11th February. Since then they’ve won 4 and drawn 3 of 7 games played and haven’t conceded in their last 2 games either. However, Reading are on a 100% run of 1 win from 1 game and no goals conceded so Leeds should be warned.

Looks like Chris Wood is a doubt for this game.

Would give me Wood if that's true.

5.30 kick off, 4000 pissed up Leeds fans. what is there to not like about this fixture?

5.30 kick off and 4000 pissed Leeds fans.

Rakels came on for Latvia over the weekend, so presumably fit. Whether he'll make the bench is open to question though. I'd like to see him back in saying that, a useful option

unfortunately think you are right - they will defend deep and try to hit on the break. I'm expecting a pretty dull game and probably a low scoring or no score draw. Hopefully someone like McCleary or Swift can come up with a bit of magic to break them down. An early home goal would likely lead to a much more entertaining match.

They played like the away side up at Elland road. let us have 78% possession in our own half. can`t help thinking it will be the same tactics again.

So be it. I'd probably take a dull 0-0 with 0 shots for either team and take the point.

yeah I would to be honest.

Have some ambition!

Chris Wood has a minor knock picked up v Fiji last week and was rested by NZ team manger for their second qualifier v Fiji as a precaution. Chris will be assessed by the Leeds medical team on his return. Sounds to me that he is more likely to play than not but would welcome them missing a 27 goal striker. God, remember them at Reading, strikers that scored hatfuls? Trevor Senior, Ron Blackman, Jamie Cureton wonder if it'll ever happen again....

One other interesting fact about the first game back after an international break. In the previous three games Reading have had an away draw at QPR and won the other two both at home v Ipswich and Burton. It's rather more alarming for Leeds though as they have lost all three of their games and haven't even scored a goal (v Huddersfield (h), Derby (a) and Newcastle (h)). So pointing that out has probably just put the mockers on that recurring !

I'd wager that yes, in the infinite future, it will probably happen again someday.

Think the standard of opposition might have had something to do with that.

Arguably biggest game of the season and one that for once warrents coverage on Sky, should be a cracker , I think we'll win ,and expect this to be a rehearsal for when we play Leeds in the play offs

2-0 Leeds
Reading to keep possession in their own box for 80mins......

Not at home, lad.

Reading 4-0 Leeds

Grabban x3
Moore

Heading along to this as a neutral (I dislike both teams equally ). I can assume that two teams in the playoffs will produce an entertaining game right?

Hoping for a 3-3 draw with 4 red cards. My two previous visits to the Madejski this season have seen a 2-1 win and a 0-0 so not seen you lose yet!

Third time lucky then.

That match earlier in the season was such a non event, but bloody hell have the Leeds fans blown that one out of proportion.

We were devoid of an outlet up front with Dom playing up top by himself for an hour with Yann coming back from injury, but the build up was quite promising until we were treated with 10 Leeds players on the edge of their own box.

What's more, their first goal came from a lucky deflection and their second was a penalty that shouldn't have been. The way their fans have tried to laud it over us since is embarrassing, and I hope we annihilate them at the weekend.

If we pick up a win on Saturday, we would have won 4 out of 6 games against the current playoff teams - that makes me feel happy.

Very glad you posted that, I was 42 hours away from a very long wait.

Oh just fcuk off will you

Really hope we can overcome there anti-football tomorrow. Massive game.

Oh just fcuk off will you
The correct response to a Swindon fan!

Eesh someone's had a shandy.

To be fair I've always been pretty open about who I support when I come to the Madjeski and normally greeted with a surprising amount of warmth. Maybe they feel sorry for me? Who knows.

Good luck Saturday!

In all honesty I have no animosity toward Swindon or Oxford, I just join in with faux hatred because it is part of the club identity. Sign of the times really but we haven't played you guys or Oxford in a competitive match since I've supported Reading, that's 15 years. I would imagine the level of hatred towards Oxford and Swindon is found more amongst the older fans at the club right now.

In all honesty I have no animosity toward Swindon or Oxford, I just join in with faux hatred because it is part of the club identity. Sign of the times really but we haven't played you guys or Oxford in a competitive match since I've supported Reading, that's 15 years. I would imagine the level of hatred towards Oxford and Swindon is found more amongst the older fans at the club right now.

Yep our rivalry is now, for some reason, with the other tinpots masquerading as a league football club by the sea in Sussex.

In all honesty I have no animosity toward Swindon or Oxford, I just join in with faux hatred because it is part of the club identity. Sign of the times really but we haven't played you guys or Oxford in a competitive match since I've supported Reading, that's 15 years. I would imagine the level of hatred towards Oxford and Swindon is found more amongst the older fans at the club right now.
I'm pretty sure we have played both competitively in the last 15 years?

In all honesty I have no animosity toward Swindon or Oxford, I just join in with faux hatred because it is part of the club identity. Sign of the times really but we haven't played you guys or Oxford in a competitive match since I've supported Reading, that's 15 years. I would imagine the level of hatred towards Oxford and Swindon is found more amongst the older fans at the club right now.
I'm pretty sure we have played both competitively in the last 15 years?

Last competitive games

v Oxford Unted

League Cup, Wednesday 24 August 2004, W 2-0 (a)

v Swindon Town

Football League, Tier 3, Thursday 14 February 2002, D 0-0 (a)

I'm pretty sure we have played both competitively in the last 15 years?

Last competitive games

v Oxford Unted

League Cup, Wednesday 24 August 2004, W 2-0 (a)

v Swindon Town

Football League, Tier 3, Thursday 14 February 2002, D 0-0 (a)
I wasn't too far out! My first Reading match was the 0-0 vs Brighton in March of 2002, I must have completely forgotten about the cup match against Oxford though.

Not at home, lad.

Reading 4-0 Leeds

Grabban x3
Moore

If we start off well we could find ourselves Grabban Moore