MATCHWATCH : Leeds United (a) sponsored by Simon Church

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday 22nd February 2020, 3pm
Where : Elland Road, Leeds, LS11 0ES
Capacity : 37,900
Away Stand : John Charles Stand (usually the upper tier towards the South stand)


It’s not yet the end of February but by the end this awkward long northern trek Reading will have completed their league fixtures against all the teams in the top 10 save for a trip to Blackburn and a visit from Brentford.

And things won’t be much harder than this one to play second placed Leeds. However, as with all of Reading’s recent opponents, Leeds recent form has not been particularly impressive with just 3 wins from 12 league games and in that time only 1 clean sheet. They have also been turned over at home by both Wednesday and Wigan in that run but their last home game returned 3 points and that 1 clean sheet so perhaps their confidence maybe not too far away.

Patrick Bamford (12) is leading scorer followed by Jack Harrison (5), Ezgjan Alioski and Pablo Hernandez (both with 4). Jack Harrison, Kalvin Phillips and Mateus Klich are probably the opponents that will need most attention during the game however.

Leeds will be missing Adam Forshaw through injury while their keeper, Kiko Casilla, is due for a disciplinary hearing with the FA this week

Reading’s injury list has been rediscovered big time with no Joao, Gunter, Boye, Pele, Miazga or McIntyre and Obita also doubtful.

Referee

Jarred Gillett

Previously

29 Dec 19 > Preston North End 0-2 Reading
31 Aug 19 > Reading 0-2 Charlton Athletic

Historically

Games at Elland Road really weren't very common until this century and in total only 13 seasons have been shared by the two clubs with only 3 of those being before 2000. Of the 13 league games played there Reading have won three and lost six so not quite as bad as you'd think but Elland Road is still an intimidating place to go if you're not in the right frame of mind.

How to follow the game

1. Get a ticket and travel to the game
2. Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
3. Ring/text a mate for updates
4. Use an iFollow subscription
5. BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)

[Simmops]

Good referee. The best a man can get.

[Old Man Andrews]

Lets be real here, we are playing the best side in the League. We cannot expect to be picking up any points at the fortress that is Elland Road.

[Simmops]

I forgot that being 2nd means you are the best team in the league. I'm sure Liverpool fans have something to say about that.

[Snowflake Royal]

Leeds haven't won back to back games since early December. They are in prime Leeds and Bielsa choke territory and just got a little cushion back over the chasing pack, so may relax a little.

They've won 3 of their last 12, the record being:
P12, W3, D4, L5

Bamford is not at the required level. They create a lot of chances but score few and we have one of the meanest defences in the Championship.

At the other end Casilla is suspect and about to have his hearing for racial abuse, so likely to be distracted.

Leeds only beat us at home through a deflected goal from a perfect breakaway late on.

Bowen loses few games and we just got a confidence boosting win at a canter.

We have every reason to be positive about this game. A win is definitely achievable let alone a draw. But it'll be tough.

[Old Man Andrews]

Bamford is not at the required level. They create a lot of chances but score few and we have one of the meanest defences in the Championship.

The Patrick Bamford who has scored two more goals than our top scorer?

[leon]

Bamford is not at the required level. They create a lot of chances but score few and we have one of the meanest defences in the Championship.

The Patrick Bamford who has scored two more goals than our top scorer?

I think that rather proves his point.

[Snowflake Royal]

Bamford is not at the required level. They create a lot of chances but score few and we have one of the meanest defences in the Championship.

The Patrick Bamford who has scored two more goals than our top scorer?

Our top scorer has started a two thirds as many games. And has been disappointing for a midtable team.

And it's 4 league goals.

Idiot.

[Old Man Andrews]

Bamford is not at the required level. They create a lot of chances but score few and we have one of the meanest defences in the Championship.

The Patrick Bamford who has scored two more goals than our top scorer?

Our top scorer has started a two thirds as many games. And has been disappointing for a midtable team.

And it's 4 league goals.

Idiot.

Name calling from Ian because he knows he is completely wrong. You love to see it.

[Simmops]

Bamford is not at the required level. They create a lot of chances but score few and we have one of the meanest defences in the Championship.

The Patrick Bamford who has scored two more goals than our top scorer?

Our top scorer has started a two thirds as many games. And has been disappointing for a midtable team.

And it's 4 league goals.

Idiot.

Don't bring yourself down to an idiots level Ian. You are better then him.

[NewCorkSeth]

Anyone else see the Leeds fans giggling away to themselves after their Twitter admin stated "Reading are the latest club to not sell out their allocation"?

They are genuinely defending their pricing by stating "we are second in the league and play the best football, you should be willing to pay that".

Nevermind the fact they sell the unsold tickets to home fans at a discount.

[Hendo]

Anyone else see the Leeds fans giggling away to themselves after their Twitter admin stated "Reading are the latest club to not sell out their allocation"?

They are genuinely defending their pricing by stating "we are second in the league and play the best football, you should be willing to pay that".

Nevermind the fact they sell the unsold tickets to home fans at a discount.

Be careful with that claim, because I don't think they do.

[morganb]

Good referee. The best a man can get.

Not sure everyone agrees though - a Leeds article on the ref:


https://motleedsnews.com/matchday/oh-de ... v-reading/

[Old Man Andrews]

Anyone else see the Leeds fans giggling away to themselves after their Twitter admin stated "Reading are the latest club to not sell out their allocation"?

They are genuinely defending their pricing by stating "we are second in the league and play the best football, you should be willing to pay that".

Nevermind the fact they sell the unsold tickets to home fans at a discount.

Be careful with that claim, because I don't think they do.

Yes, very untrue.

Leeds do play the best football by a mile but they maybe shouldn't try and rile up opposition supporters RE: the unsold tickets, not clever.

[NewCorkSeth]

Anyone else see the Leeds fans giggling away to themselves after their Twitter admin stated "Reading are the latest club to not sell out their allocation"?

They are genuinely defending their pricing by stating "we are second in the league and play the best football, you should be willing to pay that".

Nevermind the fact they sell the unsold tickets to home fans at a discount.

Be careful with that claim, because I don't think they do.

Fair point. Just what I read as the tickets are only available to season ticket holders and gold members who dont pay 39 for the ticket. I cannot verify so should have put a disclaimer.

[Coppells Lost Coat]

Free hit, no pressure to get a result as Leeds are by far the greatest team ever to grace the championship. Actually, think the EFL should just gift them what ever points they need to get to 107 points at the end of the season, you know, as a gesture of goodwill.........

We have players who with no pressure can out perform most in this league. in Swift and Ejaria. Also think Puscas will enjoy going up against the physical Leeds CBs. Let the players express themselves and enjoy the game. If we lose, then so be it.

[WestYorksRoyal]

Over the last couple of months they have stalled, but let's not overlook at 4 points from Brentford away and Bristol City at home is a very good return from the last 2 games. Beat us and they will feel like they're putting the wobble behind them.

Expect them to have plenty of possession, but we're difficult to break down and effective on the counter. Hopefully we can sneak a point or win.

[Old Man Andrews]

Over the last couple of months they have stalled, but let's not overlook at 4 points from Brentford away and Bristol City at home is a very good return from the last 2 games. Beat us and they will feel like they're putting the wobble behind them.

Expect them to have plenty of possession, but we're difficult to break down and effective on the counter. Hopefully we can sneak a point or win.

We should rest our entire first choice team for this game, we cannot go there and get anything so what is the point in risking injury? We have the biggest game of the season in a couple of weeks against Sheffield United to think about.

[genome]

The Patrick Bamford who has scored two more goals than our top scorer?

Our top scorer has started a two thirds as many games. And has been disappointing for a midtable team.

And it's 4 league goals.

Idiot.

Name calling from Ian because he knows he is completely wrong. You love to see it.

West Brom figured out how to con him into cheap fouls pretty early on. He’s bought it every time.

He's almost as shit as that one OMA told us was amazing.

The one who is now one of the full time, elite referees?

Tosser.

[Old Man Andrews]

Our top scorer has started a two thirds as many games. And has been disappointing for a midtable team.

And it's 4 league goals.

Idiot.

Name calling from Ian because he knows he is completely wrong. You love to see it.

He's almost as shit as that one OMA told us was amazing.

The one who is now one of the full time, elite referees?

Tosser.

Sideline sniping again......

Ian doesn't name call unless he is wrong, that was the point. You knew that though.