When : Saturday 18th December 2021, 3pm
Where : SCL Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
Bad news. Saturday is the day Reading are using to celebrate 150 years of existence (though only the last 35 years or so with any actual ambition) so with a big crowd present be prepared that the day could be marred by a Reading performance that plumbs the very depths of incompetence just like the last “celebration” game (500th home game at the Mad Stad) v Burton back in 2017 - funnily enough that too was the last game before Xmas, though at least this time there is NOT the expectation that the opposition aren’t very good and just there for the taking.
And then there’s Reading’s amazing home form, which is currently 5 without a win (D2, L3), that needs to be turned round. Last win was v Barnsley on 16th October. Still we’ve all become used to dire home form over the last 4/5 years so why worry, the club are well practiced in cr@pness and have survived it on the other occasions.
Luton are midtable with a whopping 29 points from 7 wins and 8 draws so far. It will have been more or less a year since their last appearance in town (Boxing Day last year) and if Reading can somehow scrape the same result then we will all have a happy Christmas (idiot governments allowing).
The Hatters current form is a bit “iffy” so that is something we can all hope that they bring with them on Saturday. Last time out was a 1-1 home draw with Fulham while the previous 7 games to that saw Luton win twice (home v ‘boro and away at Blackpool) and draw one which overall means they’ve lost half of their last 8 games. However the Blackpool victory was their last away game so you can say they’re now unbeaten in two.
Harry Cornick and Elijah Adebayo are doing the damage having hit 17 of Luton’s 30 league goals this season, also on the books are Henri Lansbury and Cameron Jerome though both seem to be more used as subs to make things happen rather than definite starters in a game
Luke Berry is the only injury problem for the Hatters, though having scored 4 in his 6 starts this season it’s probably a good thing from Reading’s perspective.
Reading’s ridiculous injury problems grew further before the WBA game with Swift and Drinkwater being added to the tome of casualties and then after the WBA game with the possibility of Scott Dann joining them.
It is hoped though that at least one of the players injured might return in time for the game but this will probably depend on who is ready to be the next in line to replace them in the treatment room.
Lastly, apparently there is no truth in the rumour that the FL have placed a requirement to have a double figure injury status at the club for breaching FFP.
Referee
Gavin Ward
Previously
02 Nov 2021 > Millwall 1-0 Reading
02 Mar 2021 > Reading 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
05 Dec 2020 > Reading 2-0 Nottingham Forest
03 Oct 2020 > Reading 1-0 Watford
04 Feb 2020 > Cardiff City 3-3 Reading (FA Cup)
22 Apr 2019 > Reading 0-0 West Bromwich Albion
12 Mar 2018 > Reading 0-3 Leeds United
01 Sep 2018 > Reading 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday
25 Aug 2015 > Portsmouth 1-2 Reading (League Cup)
20 Dec 2014 > Reading 0-1 Watford
25 Oct 2014 > Reading 3-0 Blackpool
17 Apr 2012 > Reading 1-0 Nottingham Forest
01 Feb 2011 > Cardiff City 2-2 Reading
16 Mar 2010 > Reading 1-0 Queens Park Rangers
11 Aug 2009 > Reading 5-1 Burton Albion (League Cup)
Historically
Only 24 league seasons have been shared with Luton as although a similar style of provincial club they have spent a couple of lengthy periods circulating in the first and second divisions while Reading were successfully trying to avoid any appearance of ambition.
Of the previous 24 league games played in Reading 15 have been won by the hoops with 5 going the way of the hats leaving 4 draws.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket and go
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use a RoyalTV subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
- Forge a press pass, smile sweetly at security and pretend you’re Tim and/or Mick