MATCHWATCH : Sheffield Wednesday (a) sponsored by do or die

[Sutekh]

A night out in Sheffield beckons on a glorious Friday for another go at trying to get points away from home against a team in the top six having failed on every other attempt thus far. And a result, in any form of pointage, would probably be considered glorious based on that run

Sheffield Wednesday, like Reading, are starting to feel the nerves as the business end of the season rapidly approaches and are looking nervously towards the likes of Fulham and Norwich who are a getting a little too close to the partaking of the end of season extra fun for good measure.

Thankfully the Owls are struggling a little with team selections as not only will defender Vincent Sasso be missing through suspension, after his dismissal at Aston Villa, but Tom Lees, Kieran Lee, Sam Hutchinson, Gary Hooper and Almen Abdi are all sidelined through injury. On top of that manager Carlos Carvalho was also dismissed by the referee at Villa and, perhaps most importantly, it is also touch and go whether striker Fernando Forestieri will be available due to injury.

Reading hope to have both Moore and McShane fit for the excursion up north but Jordon Mutch is expected to miss after picking up a knock at Preston. Other than that it’s pretty much a full squad save for the usual absentees of whom only Rakels has a chance of involvement.

Referee

It’s County Durham’s Geoff Eltringham taking up the reins for this one



Previously

04 Feb 2017 > Ipswich Town 2-2 Reading
13 Dec 2016 > Leeds United 2-0 Reading
02 Apr 2016 > Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Reading
12 Dec 2015 > Preston North End 1-0 Reading
07 Apr 2015 > Blackpool 1-1 Reading
23 Nov 2013 > Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Reading
14 Feb 2012 > Derby County 0-1 Reading

Historically

Not a particularly happy hunting ground for Reading but then probably about average for the club for a northern trek and only nine previous league visits. Of those nine two have been won and four lost. However Reading have not won on any of their last three visits, losing twice, and shipping seven goals in the process (although five of those came in the same game).

[The Informant]

Do or die?

Bit over dramatic you big bet wetter.

Our predictable style of play will be picked apart and we will lose. Probably by two.

[Hendo]

Saw a rare 2-0 away win back in '09 under Rodgers there.

[CountryRoyal]

Wednesday fans over on Owlstalk reckon this is a make or break for both teams, a win should see them go on and finish in the playoffs, a loss could be the catalyst in a demoralising decline eventually dropping out.

From our point of view at least, I'm not convinced at all. Our away form is dire and we're not expected to come away with anything. Big game? Yes. But there is still plenty of football left and more than enough fixtures where we should be able to pick up points, especially at home,

Besides, what was the last game where we weren't expected to get anything? Newcastle and yes it was home but we saw how that turned out. I think we might surprise people.

[tidus_mi2]

I've said for weeks this run of form could see us temporarily drop out of the play-offs but after this I think we'll get enough points to be in the play-offs without much concern.

[Hound]

A defeat certainly not terminal for our play off chances (have a feeling wolves may get something at Fulham as well) - but what a boost a win would be. Even a draw would be an excellent result considering we only have one game left against the top 8 after this

[LoyalRoyal22]

People want it to be make or break, but it isn't. A defeat would put us under much more pressure though.

[Saaaaaaaammmmmm]

Anssi Jaakkola has picked up another injury meaning George Legg will likely make his first appearance in the squad as back-up, having been recalled from Hungerford this week. Quite a rise up the pecking order as Bond and Jaakkola are both injured, whilst Stuart Moore is of course now at Luton

[SCIAG]

Anssi Jaakkola has picked up another injury meaning George Legg will likely make his first appearance in the squad as back-up, having been recalled from Hungerford this week. Quite a rise up the pecking order as Bond and Jaakkola are both injured, whilst Stuart Moore is of course now at Luton

Jaap if you're reading this then please pick Luke Southwood.

[LumpWarden]

assumed this was on the box tonight but see they've opted for Bristol City v Huddersfield

[Maneki Neko]

Why in gods name are we playing on a friday without it being on TV? Madness

[genome]

Why in gods name are we playing on a friday without it being on TV? Madness

Because United are playing at home on the Saturday and if both teams played on a Saturday the entire city would burn to the ground.

[CountryRoyal]

Why in gods name are we playing on a friday without it being on TV? Madness

Because United are playing at home on the Saturday and if both teams played on a Saturday the entire city would burn to the ground.

IN!

[Sutekh]

Reading XI : Habsi, Gunter, Blackett, Moore, Obita, Berg, Beerens, Swift, McCleary, Kermorgant, Williams

Subs : Legg, Mendes, Meite, Popa, Watson, Oxford, Grabban

[Sutekh]

Sheff Wed XI : Westwood, Jones, Reach, Winnall, Rhodes, Lees, Loovens, Hunt, Bannan, Buckley, Fox

Subs : Wildsmith, Fletcher, Matias, McManaman, Nuhiu, Samedo, Palmer

[seahawk10]

Anssi Jaakkola has picked up another injury meaning George Legg will likely make his first appearance in the squad as back-up, having been recalled from Hungerford this week. Quite a rise up the pecking order as Bond and Jaakkola are both injured, whilst Stuart Moore is of course now at Luton

Gives us a Legg up shirley...

[Sutekh]

So no Evans and McShane injured and Jaakkola also must be crocked again which allows George Legg to get a place on the bench as Moore is on loan and Bond is also a member of the hospital club.

[CountryRoyal]

Reading XI : Habsi, Gunter, Blackett, Moore, Obita, Berg, Beerens, Swift, McCleary, Kermorgant, Williams

Subs : Legg, Mendes, Meite, Popa, Watson, Oxford, Grabban

Fairly happy with that team but Grabban aside how's that for an inexperienced bench at this level

[Hound]

Ah Evans - knew someone was missing unexpectedly. Presuming he has a knock

About the team I'd have gone for, once McShane is ruled out. Still will be a big miss

[Ian Royal]

Reading XI : Habsi, Gunter, Blackett, Moore, Obita, Berg, Beerens, Swift, McCleary, Kermorgant, Williams

Subs : Legg, Mendes, Meite, Popa, Watson, Oxford, Grabban

Pretty much our best available XI IMO. I assume that Evans and Kelly are out given they haven't made the bench


Hang on, how can we have a million midfielders, but none on the bench!?

Are GROFLavenberch, WeiseROFL, Quinn, Kelly, Evans, and Mutch ALL injured?! What about Barrett, or Frost, or Rinomhota... surely it's better to have any midfielder than none and three strikers and a winger. The fact that Mendes has made the bench again is a pretty telling sign that half our squad is out.


Oh yeah, I forgot normal games start at 7.45. We've already kicked off.