Reading go in search of their first win of the season as they welcome Cardiff City to the Madejski Stadium in the Sky Bet Championship.
Victory will lift Reading out of the relegation zone whilst a Bluebirds win will see Cardiff climb into the top eight.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesReading manager, Jose Gomes will rotate his squad again after ringing the changes in midweek at Wycombe in the Carabao Cup with Lucas Joao amongst those set for a recall to the starting eleven.
Tyler Blackett however is their only absentee with a hamstring injury.
Cardiff have no fresh injury concerns although Joe Ralls is a doubt as he regains match fitness after being taken ill at the end of their win over Luton last weekend.
Form
Reading come into this game off the back of a midweek Carabao Cup victory via penalties but haven’t won their opening two league games, despite scoring in all three competitive fixtures in all competitions so far.
Cardiff weren’t in midweek action so have taken a win and defeat from their opening two games, scoring twice in both outings against Luton and Wigan respectively.
Stat Attack
- Reading are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Cardiff (W2, D3).
- The Royals have scored twice in both of their last two home clashes with Cardiff (W1, D1).
- There is yet to be a goalless draw in this fixture at the Madejski Stadium, and Reading’s last goalless home draw against the Bluebirds came back in April 1947 at Elm Park.
- Defeat here for Cardiff would see Neil Warnock suffer a 17th loss to Reading, who will become the best performing team against the Bluebirds’ manager.
- Reading’s Lucas Joao has never scored in three consecutive Championship matches.
Prediction
With both teams capable of scoring goals but dreadful defensively, I am expecting an entertaining game here.
Reading however are yet to score in the first half so if they can take a clean sheet into half-time, they could snatch a point but I doubt Cardiff will be that easy to quieten so am going for an away win.
Prediction: Reading 1-2 Cardiff City
Result: Reading 3-0 Cardiff City