When : Tuesday 14th July 2020, 6pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161
Reading now put their cr@pfest of home form (1 win in 12) up for investigation from Colin's new Middlesbrough outfit. As with previous home form expectation is low as we all know it's likely to be a slow tempo plod in which the opposition gradually start to look better or, if not, at least look like the ones more likely score.
But at least it doesn't really matter, unlike previous seasons which has seen Reading right in it right down to the wire, and with ony one home game left before we get another month or so off we can all relax and be apathetic about it (though that won't stop the usual vented spleens if it turns out as poor as some of the home performances suffered this season).
Middlesbrough themselves have had a very poor season which saw Jonathan Woodgate pick up the spanish archer just a few weeks ago and be replaced by Mr Warnock. Their form has largely been pretty awful veering through a couple of long streaks avoiding victories to a couple of brief spells where they've collected the wins that have just kept them above the line. Since taking over Mr Warnock has seen his charges win 2 and lose 3 but from Reading's perspective the important fact is that 'boro have won 3 of their last 4 away games (at Millwall, Stoke and Charlton) so in any respect this one won’t be easy, even if Reading had half decent home form.
Britt Assombalonga (8), Ashley Fletcher (10) and Lewis Wing (7) are leading the Mddlesbrough scoring charts and it appears Fletcher and Assombalonga have been generally restored as twin strikers following Rudy Gestede's short run as the sole striker. There is some talk around that Reading have an interest in Lewis Wing but given the financial situation at the club that's all its ever likely to amount to.
Andy Yiadom could probably play if the club were desperate enough for him to do so, Lucas Joao is expected to be fit enough to play some part but, equally, why risk him breaking down again before the end of the season and facing longer out?
Here's hoping for that terrific home performance that finally breaks the mould and sets the club on the way to a fortress of a home ground next season.
Referee
Mr Andrew Woolmer
Previously....
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
16 previous seasons so 16 previous visits from the ‘boro. Those 16 games have worked out very symmetrically so far with 5 wins, 6 draws and 5 defeats. However in the last 180 minutes of football played against Middlesbrough at the Mad Stad, Reading have failed to score and conceded 3, therefore collecting 0 points in the process.
How to follow the game
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use the iFollow subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
