Royals Go To Norwich After Three Straight Wins

07 April 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading travel to Norwich City this weekend after a run of three straight league wins that has made a play-off finish more likely than not. The Royals are now nine points clear of seventh placed Fulham with just six games of the season remaining. Any points at Norwich this weekend will go a long way towards making the play-offs a certainty, especially with home games against Wigan and Rotherham still to come for Reading. After a dip in form, the Royals seem to be coming good at just the right time as the season enters it's final stages. Norwich have been inconsistent all season and mid-table is now looking more likely for them.

The last time the two sides met was on Boxing Day at the Madejski Stadium when Reading were helped by Norwich midfielder Jonny Howson getting sent off shortly after the visitors had equalised to make it 1-1. McCleary stuck home the spot-kick rebound to make it 2-1 before Harriott wrapped up the three points with a late third goal for the Royals.

Harriott will be missing this time as he remains out through injury. Rakels is still yet to make an appearance after returning from injury and may be hoping to get some match action before the season wrap up. Paul McShane and Joey van den Berg may both be back available for selection but Stam may keep Tiago Ilori involved again after he returned from injury during Tuesday night's 3-1 victory over Blackburn. Jordan Obita could also miss out due to minor injury.

Norwich have let in five goals in their last two games, without scoring, and will have a big boost with defenders Mitchell Dijks and Ivo Pinto back in action. Both players have been out due to suspensions which ended after their 0-3 away defeat against Huddersfield Town on Wednesday night. Norwich have suffered with their away form but this promises to be a difficult game for the Royals.

At home Norwich are unbeaten in nine games, which has included some big wins and a 2-2 draw with table toppers Newcastle United. Norwich still have a slim chance of getting in the play-offs but that is looking increasingly unlikely. Should Norwich fail to beat Reading their season will effectively be over and caretaker manager Alan Irvine will probably be pleased to hand the reins over.

Recent Meetings With Norwich City

DATE COMPETITION OPPOSITION SCORE REPORT
26 December 2016 Championship Norwich (HOME) W: 3-1 Read report...
28 December 2014 Championship Norwich (HOME) W: 2-1 Read report...
29 November 2014 Championship Norwich (Away) W: 2-1 Read report...
20 April 2013 Premier League Norwich (Away) L: 1-2 Read report...
10 November 2012 Premier League Norwich (HOME) D: 0-0 Read report...
12 February 2011 Championship Norwich (Away) L: 1-2 Read report...
13 November 2010 Championship Norwich (HOME) D: 3-3 Read report...
27 April 2009 Championship Norwich (Away) W: 2-0 Read report...
13 December 2008 Championship Norwich (HOME) W: 2-0 Read report...

Reading travel to Norwich City this weekend after a run of three straight league wins that has made a play-off finish more likely than not. The Royals are now nine points clear of seventh placed Fulham with just six games of the season remaining. Any points at Norwich this weekend will go a long way towards making the play-offs a certainty, especially with home games against Wigan and Rotherham still to come for Reading. After a dip in form, the Royals seem to be coming good at just the right time as the season enters it's final stages. Norwich have been inconsistent all season and mid-table is now looking more likely for them.
<br/><br/>
The last time the two sides met was on Boxing Day at the Madejski Stadium when Reading were helped by Norwich midfielder Jonny Howson getting sent off shortly after the visitors had equalised to make it 1-1. McCleary stuck home the spot-kick rebound to make it 2-1 before Harriott wrapped up the three points with a late third goal for the Royals.
<br/><br/>
Harriott will be missing this time as he remains out through injury. Rakels is still yet to make an appearance after returning from injury and may be hoping to get some match action before the season wrap up. Paul McShane and Joey van den Berg may both be back available for selection but Stam may keep Tiago Ilori involved again after he returned from injury during Tuesday night's 3-1 victory over Blackburn. Jordan Obita could also miss out due to minor injury.
<br/><br/>
Norwich have let in five goals in their last two games, without scoring, and will have a big boost with defenders Mitchell Dijks and Ivo Pinto back in action. Both players have been out due to suspensions which ended after their 0-3 away defeat against Huddersfield Town on Wednesday night. Norwich have suffered with their away form but this promises to be a difficult game for the Royals.
<br/><br/>
At home Norwich are unbeaten in nine games, which has included some big wins and a 2-2 draw with table toppers Newcastle United. Norwich still have a slim chance of getting in the play-offs but that is looking increasingly unlikely. Should Norwich fail to beat Reading their season will effectively be over and caretaker manager Alan Irvine will probably be pleased to hand the reins over.



<h3>Recent Meetings With Norwich City</h3>


<table border="0" class="fixtures" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="2" width="100%" style="border:0">
<tr>
<td class="fixtures" bgcolor="#CCCCFF"><b>DATE</b></td>
<td class="fixtures" bgcolor="#CCCCFF"><b>COMPETITION</b></td>
<td class="fixtures" bgcolor="#CCCCFF"><b>OPPOSITION</b></td>
<td class="fixtures" bgcolor="#CCCCFF"><b>SCORE</b></td>
<td class="fixtures" bgcolor="#CCCCFF"><b>REPORT</b></td>
</tr>


<tr>
<td class="fixturesh">26 December 2016 </td>
<td class="fixturesh">Championship</td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/261216.html">Norwich (HOME)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixturesh"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><b>W:</b> 3-1</span></td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/261216.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>





<tr>
<td class="fixturesh">28 December 2014 </td>
<td class="fixturesh">Championship</td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/281214.html">Norwich (HOME)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixturesh"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><b>W:</b> 2-1</span></td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/281214.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>





<tr>
<td class="fixtures">29 November 2014 </td>
<td class="fixtures">Championship</td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/291114.html">Norwich (Away)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixtures"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><b>W:</b> 2-1</span></td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/291114.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>





<tr>
<td class="fixtures">20 April 2013 </td>
<td class="fixtures">Premier League</td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/200413.html">Norwich (Away)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixtures"><span style="color:#FF0000;">L: 1-2</span></td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/200413.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>





<tr>
<td class="fixturesh">10 November 2012 </td>
<td class="fixturesh">Premier League</td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/101112.html">Norwich (HOME)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixturesh"><span style="color:#000000;">D: 0-0</span></td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/101112.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>





<tr>
<td class="fixtures">12 February 2011 </td>
<td class="fixtures">Championship</td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/120211.html">Norwich (Away)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixtures"><span style="color:#FF0000;">L: 1-2</span></td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/120211.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>





<tr>
<td class="fixturesh">13 November 2010 </td>
<td class="fixturesh">Championship</td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/131110.html">Norwich (HOME)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixturesh"><span style="color:#000000;">D: 3-3</span></td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/131110.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>





<tr>
<td class="fixtures">27 April 2009 </td>
<td class="fixtures">Championship</td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/270409.html">Norwich (Away)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixtures"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><b>W:</b> 2-0</span></td>
<td class="fixtures">
<a href="/matdoc/270409.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>





<tr>
<td class="fixturesh">13 December 2008 </td>
<td class="fixturesh">Championship</td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/131208.html">Norwich (HOME)</a>
</td>
<td class="fixturesh"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><b>W:</b> 2-0</span></td>
<td class="fixturesh">
<a href="/matdoc/131208.html">Read report...</a>
</td>
</tr>


</table>

Discussion On This Story:

  Sutekh

» 06 Apr 2017 09:32


Carrow Road is the next venue for the Reading play off bandwagon as its inexorable roll continues. Wish I could say it heartlessly flattens everything in its way but it just, well, doesn’t. Nevertheless when the wheels do fall off the whole procession just carries on by tubthumping
Norwich are a very erratic team more than capable of beating anyone in this division on their day but have sadly, for them, lurched from highs to lows fairly regularly throughout the season and only rarely shown why they were considered one of the bookies favourites for the title in pre and early season.
Though their season is now more or less dead and gone we are at that point of the season where players start playing to impress for summer new deals or moves away - blah blah, cliché, cliché so Reading still have to - insert more clichés of your choice here
Norwich will be missing one time Reading target Graham Dorrans and Wes Hoolahan is a doubt with a thigh strain. Unfortunately both Norwich full backs - Ivo Pinto and Mitchell Dijks – will be available again after serving suspensions.
Meanwhile the caress of injury continues to blight the Reading experience. Though at the moment it appears a little more quantified. Basically Stephen Quinn is effectively going to be out for the rest of the season while Berg, McShane and Evans are going to be absent to around, or just after, Easter weekend. Ilori seems to be back in in the mix but Harriott is probably 3/4 weeks off playing – good option to have returning for the play offs though. Formation wise I’m expecting Jaap to revert the back four by returning Obita to left back and Blackett to centre back for this game but, of course, he’ll probably do something else and if he does I wouldn’t be too unhappy to see Reece continue at the back.
Referee
James Linington from the Isle of Wight is expected to be the man in charge
Previously
24 Sep 16 > Reading 1-0 Huddersfield Town

21 Nov 15 > Reading 2-1 Bolton Wanderers

02 May 15 > Derby County 0-3 Reading

28 Dec 14 > Reading 2-1 Norwich City

21 Nov 14 > Cardiff City 2-1 Reading

12 Aug 14 > Reading 3-1 Newport County (League Cup)

10 Sep 11 > Reading 0-2 Watford

30 Apr 11 > Coventry City 0-0 Reading

22 Jan 11 > Reading 1-1 Hull City

02 May 10 > Reading 4-0 Preston North End

30 Jan 10 > Reading 1-0 Barnsley
Historically
There have been 67 league games between Norwich and Reading which makes this game the 34th league visit to the Canaries. Of the previous 33, 10 have resulted in wins for Reading while 15 games have gone the way of Delia’s boys. There have only been 2 goalless games in those 33 so odds are there will be some picking the ball out of the back of the net to be done at least one keeper - and more likely both as these teams do appear to struggle to keep clean sheets against each other.

  Gunny Fishcake

» 07 Apr 2017 10:21

Tough game , very, will blissfully take a draw of any sort

  royalp-we

» 07 Apr 2017 23:21

We haven't won a Saturday afternoon away game since Blackburn in December. Probably about time we won one, right?

  Ian Royal

» 08 Apr 2017 09:10

Would this be the first time we'd won four on the bounce this season? I reckon draw.

  Platypuss

» 08 Apr 2017 09:19



No.

  Ian Royal

» 08 Apr 2017 10:40



No.
Oh yeah, Forest, Wigan, Burton, Bristol. Thanks.

  Platypuss

» 08 Apr 2017 11:12



No.
Oh yeah, Forest, Wigan, Burton, Bristol. Thanks.

Plus Rotherham before those if you count league only.

  Top Flight

» 08 Apr 2017 11:16

If we show the same intensity as we did in the Leeds game I think we'll win this one. I'm backing our boys to stay strong. Norwich 0 Reading 2.

  Royal_jimmy

» 08 Apr 2017 13:24

Another one of those away shockers is on the horizon
Norwich 3-0 Reading

  Royals and Racers

» 08 Apr 2017 13:53

Reading starting XI vs Norwich: Al-Habsi, Gunter (c), Blackett, Moore, Oxford, Swift, Kelly, Mutch, McCleary, Grabban, Kermorgant
Reading subs vs Norwich: Jaakkola, Mendes, Obita, Williams, Popa, Gravenberch, Watson.

  Emeraldroyal

» 08 Apr 2017 14:35



Naaah not today.

Norwich are a decent side at home but I genuinely think we've matured hugely over the last few games.
0-0 and I'd take that too.

  marlowuk

» 08 Apr 2017 14:49

No place for Ilori in the squad. Is he injured too?

  CountryRoyal

» 08 Apr 2017 14:51



Broke his ankle getting on the bus.

  harry

» 08 Apr 2017 14:56

Well that's a god start

  Emeraldroyal

» 08 Apr 2017 14:59



There goes my 0-0 prediction :shock:
I'll not bother sharing grand national tips so :evil:

  ROWY

» 08 Apr 2017 15:00

10-0 at this rate

  ROWY

» 08 Apr 2017 15:03

Prediction 1-2 reading , plenty of time to recover

  Emeraldroyal

» 08 Apr 2017 15:09

Ok so we're getting battered...
Next :cry:

  harry

» 08 Apr 2017 15:09


2-3?

  CavershamRoyal

» 08 Apr 2017 15:10



Naaah not today.

Norwich are a decent side at home but I genuinely think we've matured hugely over the last few games.
Hopefully by quoting this it inspires a fantastic 3-2 away victory :?

  Sutekh

» 08 Apr 2017 15:14

This is utterly embarrassing. Thank god the away games we've got left won't matter anyway

  Emeraldroyal

» 08 Apr 2017 15:14



Naaah not today.

Norwich are a decent side at home but I genuinely think we've matured hugely over the last few games.
Hopefully by quoting this it inspires a fantastic 3-2 away victory :?

Sound like the 'comical Ali' of Hob nob don't I :shock:
Note to self. Shut the oxf*rd up

  marlowuk

» 08 Apr 2017 15:17

Fulham and Leeds both winning!! :cry:

  tidus_mi2

» 08 Apr 2017 15:19

oxf*rd hell, no wonder I don't bother going to away games.

  Emeraldroyal

» 08 Apr 2017 15:21

3-0 now...
Hide. Run and hide :roll:

  ROWY

» 08 Apr 2017 15:21

Good one to win !

  harry

» 08 Apr 2017 15:24

FFS!

  tidus_mi2

» 08 Apr 2017 15:25

4-0, this is garbage, this is the big weakness of Stam, he is shit away from home.

  CountryRoyal

» 08 Apr 2017 15:25

I didn't see us winning this but I didn't expect to be 4-0 down before half time. This is atrocious, we've been oxf*rd dire to say the least.

  Royal_jimmy

» 08 Apr 2017 15:25

:shock:
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