When : Tuesday 17th August 2021, 8pm
Where : Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
Next up after a bright start on Saturday is a visit from Bristol City. Bristol are not doing too well so far with 1 point at home on the opening day to show for their efforts, but this run trails back into last season as they ended with 11 league games that didn’t work out too well for them, consequently I would imagine the heat is starting to rise for Nigel Pearson.
Danger man for City is Nakhi Wells who we are used to being a right pain in the posterior whenever he turns up so there is going to be a certain amount of worry if Reading can’t get themselves organised properly. In addition I’ve always rated their keeper (Daniel Bentley) so is going to be a challenge for whoever gets to provide Reading’s strikeforce.
Reading are already suffering with their standard injury crisis with Araruna and Ejaria out and no updates as to when they’ll be back plus Meite gone for the season and now Joao to add to the list of worries. If Joao is out then Puscas and Azeez up front is the obvious solution and hopefully that might bring the best out of Puscas if he gets to play in a partnership.
Possibly Reading may complete the signing of free agent Yuri Ribeiro in time for the game but anyone else arriving is unlikely.
Referee
Andy “3 2-1 defeats on the trot” Woolmer
Previously
17 Mar 21 > Birmingham City 2-1 Reading
13 Feb 21 > Reading 1-2 Millwall
14 Jul 20 > Reading 1-2 Middlesbrough
15 Feb 20 > Sheffield Wednesday 0-3 Reading
09 Nov 19 > Reading 3-0 Luton Town
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
This will be the 97th time the two teams have met in the league. Pretty even down the years with 40 wins to the Biscuitmen and 38 to the Robins with 18 draws. At home Reading have 25 wins to 13 defeats (10 draws) and have netted on 77 occasions while conceding 64.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket
- 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 (audio only)
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)