MATCHWATCH : Leeds United (a) sponsored by a deep dark realisation that this way creeps

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday 14th October, 3pm
Where : Elland Road, Leeds, LS11 0ES
Capacity : 37,900
Away Stand : John Charles Stand (usually the upper tier towards the South stand)
What might I see in the area : chip balancing artists

And onwards into the depths of Yorkshire for another really exciting day out. Seriously, all credit to those going to this one not least because of the seriously stupid pricing that comes with being a so called "big club" like Leeds

Leeds are so far one of the better performers in this division certainly contenders for promotion at this early stage so this one is the most difficult game Reading will have played so far this season

Leeds will have Pontus Jansson available after suffering bruised arm v Sheffield Wednesday. Reading are without the usual bunch plus no doubt the standard surprising omission that Jaap always comes up with, either forced or not. Hoping Barrow and Bacuna will both start and no doubt Barrow will get abuse from the Leeds fans following his less than impressive loan spell there last season. Quite obviously there will be heaps of hatred and chanting permeating from the home stands towards Mr Stam and his rather exciting tactics.

Referee

Taking command of proceedings in the bitterly cold depressing October wind and rain will be Jeremy Simpson from Lancashire



Previously

31 Jan 2017 > Birmingham City 0-1 Reading
17 Dec 2016 > Blackburn Rovers 2-3 Reading
09 Sep 2016 > Reading 2-1 Ipswich Town (managed to book 9 players)
16 Apr 2016 > Leeds United 3-2 Reading
09 Jan 2016 > Huddersfield Town 2-2 Reading (FA Cup 3)
20 Oct 2015 > Rotherham United 1-1 Reading

Historically

Games at Elland Road really weren't very common until this century and only 11 seasons have been shared by the two clubs and only 3 of those were before 2000. Of the 11 league games played there Reading have won two and lost five 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.

3 of the 4 drawn games have been 0-0 and of all the games between to two sides up there that have produced a decisive result (that's a total of 9 games including the two league cup ties in the 1990s) in only two has one of the teams failed to score.

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)

[genome]

Would you take a draw from this?

[John Smith]

Why is everyone being pathetic and shitting themselves at the prospect of this very winnable fixture?

[Hound]

It is definitely winnable, they have lost 3 out of the last 4

Whether we are good enough is a different question, and one Stam can answer when he releases his team sheet on Saturday

Any news on Swift, Obita or Yann injuries? Guessing Swift should be fully fit, Yann a couple of weeks and seems a complete void of info on Obita, so prob not good news

[Sutekh]

It is definitely winnable, they have lost 3 out of the last 4

Whether we are good enough is a different question, and one Stam can answer when he releases his team sheet on Saturday

Any news on Swift, Obita or Yann injuries? Guessing Swift should be fully fit, Yann a couple of weeks and seems a complete void of info on Obita, so prob not good news

Kermorgant should be possible for the bench by the end of this month, Obita is long term but there isn't any information about exactly what the injury is, or precisely how long "long term" actually is, at the moment. Swift had problems with hamstrings before the international break but was only slight so would expect him to be available. Callum Harriott may also be available to sit on the bench. It'll be interesting to see if Richards keeps his place on the bench as well.

Expecting that Mannone, Gunter, Moore, McShane, Blackett, Berg, Aluko will all be definites to start which leaves Stam four places to muck about with (though would be hopeful that Bacuna and Barrow would be two of those).

Or could Stam have suddenly developed a plan B during the lay off?

[surrounded by saints]

Any sign of Mendes?

[Snowflake Royal]

Why is everyone being pathetic and shitting themselves at the prospect of this very winnable fixture?

Off the top of my head:
We're shit
We're shit away
Leeds are violent thugs
Leeds are at the opposite wnd of the table to us
Leeds will be extra motivated to put one over us and Stam after last season and their PO miss
Leeds are violent thugs
We're really shit away
Stam's selection policy has been somewhat eccentric.

Did I mention we're shit away?

[seahawk10]

I believe that we will win.

[bobby1413]

Not a hope in hell.

On that basis, t'is the Reading way to win 6-0.

I'm going to be more sensible though and predict 0-3 Reading.

[Sutekh]

Any sign of Mendes?

Absolutely no idea on that one. He might appear but chances are he won't. Like the media to push Stam a bit more on some of the injury situations.

[Royals and Racers]

Leeds v Reading on Saturday is the 3pm match being shown on European TV live- should be streams available despite the recent clamping down on "streamers"

[Hound]

Any sign of Mendes?

Absolutely no idea on that one. He might appear but chances are he won't. Like the media to push Stam a bit more on some of the injury situations.

Op after fluid on the knee. Be out a while.

Swift also not available still. Yann not far away

[JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo]

thanks

[tidus_mi2]

If Birmingham win today like they currently are, we start tomorrow in the relegation zone

Also relies on Burton avoiding defeat, which tbh, they probably won't do.

[Muskrat]

75% possession. 2-0 defeat.

[dean horrix legend]

As of this moment we are bottom 3, so I expect a moral boosting win tomorrow

[McDermolenko]

We've played 2 games less.

As of this moment we are bottom 3, so I expect a moral boosting win tomorrow

[dean horrix legend]

We've played 2 games less.

As of this moment we are bottom 3, so I expect a moral boosting win tomorrow

I'm aware of that but we are still in the bottom 3

[double d]

4-0 leeds

[Jackson Corner]

2-0 Leeds we will have a shot on target