Reading Back In Action As Wolves Visit

17 November 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?

After the International break, the Royals return to Championship football this weekend with table toppers Wolverhampton Wanderers visiting the Madejski Stadium. After sixteen games played, Wolves have been beaten just three times, and find themselves two points clear in first place, after a recent run of 5 wins from 6 games. Their only recent league defeat was on the road at QPR at the end of October - a 1-2 defeat with QPR scoring the winner with nine minutes left to play. Wolves immediately followed that up with a 2-0 win at Norwich and a home win over Fulham by the same scoreline to underline their promotion credentials.

Meanwhile, at the same time as Wolves dropped three points, Reading were on a run of just one win from 8 league games, and we would all have been certain that Reading would be facing certain defeat when they came up against Wolves. However, times have changed, the Royals appear to have turned a corner with two excellent victories against decent teams and scoring 7 goals in the process. No one saw such a dramatic turn around and the victories over Nottingham Forest and Derby in our last two games have seen optimism return to Reading fans.

Should Reading continue the same style and determination they demonstrated before the break then they should give high flying Wolves a good game at least. Wolves are obviously firm favourites for the win, but Reading should relish the chance to continue their run and prove they could yet make something of this season. The result will hugely depend on if Reading are able to continue their news fast, postitive style of play.

Reading had a few injury concerns before the break, but should now have players back ready for selection. Tiago Ilori is expected to be available for action after his head injury suffered in a collision with Liam Moore. Moore has kept on playing through all bandaged up, but could be in the side without his distinctive head bandage this weekend. Joey van den Berg will be back in the squad and we may see Jon Dadi Bodvarsson in contention - if Jaap Stam thinks he is a useful option with Reading starting to find the goals and Yann Kermorgant now fully fit and hoping to get more match minutes behind him.

The Royals have a reasonable recent record against Wolves. Although we lost 0-2 away from home last season, we were 2-1 winners at home in March 2017 with Kermorgant and McShane scoring the vital goals. Reading have won 5 out of the last 10 meetings between the sides and Wolves have won just two of those fixtures - both at their place. You have to go back over 12 years to find Wolves last win at Reading - a disappointing afternoon that effectively ended our play-off chances with a game of the season left to play. That match is well back in history and Reading will be hoping to continue their recent league form and their form at the Madejski Stadium against Wolves.

Recent Meetings With Wolves

Discussion On This Story:

 Sutekh

» 14 Nov 2017 16:38

When : Saturday 18th November, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161

Well after the turnaround in form which has seen Reading go from under performing dross merchants to something good enough to challenge for promotion in two games comes the acid test. League leaders and a lot of people’s champions-elect - Wolverhampton Wanderers are in town and the game should prove how good Reading really are.

Will the mighty hoops fade out quietly with a whimper like so many previous games or will they actually give Wolves a very stiff challenge and actually make them work a bit if nothing else?

I would expect that Berg will be fit enough to play if called on and that Ilori may have recovered sufficiently to be considered. It is also possible that Bodvarsson may be fit again but in all likelihood we aren’t going to know until the starting line up is finally revealed on Saturday. Same goes for how serious Mannone’s injury actually is, I expect him to play but there has to be a small doubt in the air.

Referee

It's Lancashire's Chris Kavanagh up for his seasonal Reading game



Previously
17 Apr 2017 > Reading 2-1 Rotherham United
13 Sep 2016 > Reading 0-0 Birmingham City
16 Aug 2015 > Reading 0-0 Leeds United

Historically

Thirty six league games have been played thus far between the hoops and the old gold and of those games things are mighty close with 15 wins for Reading jostling with the 14 wins Wolves have registered

Reading have managed to record 9 wins in the 18 league games played in Reading compared to 4 wins for Wolves. However the recent record is a bit on the poor side with only 2 Reading wins in the last 8 home games.

Everything also points to a very tight affair with either a draw or one goal deciding the outcome as it has been over 20 years since either team won a league game in Reading by more than that margin.

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the Mad Stad


2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes


3. Ring/text a mate for updates


4. Use an iFollow subscription


5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

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MATCHWATCH : Wolverhampton Wanderers (h) sponsored by the search for a Saturday home win: Read All The Discussion
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