MATCHWATCH : Luton Town (h) sponsored by Tony Barrass

[Sutekh]

When : Saturday 26th December, 3pm
Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL
Capacity : 24,161


Luton Town are the next visitors to the Mad Stadium for what is going to be an extremely difficult challenge considering the injury crisis in the Reading camp.

The Hatters have been fairly useful this season and have already won at the Mad Stad in the league cup so Reading have something to avenge in this one. Luton are a tricky side to get the better of as their last 14 games have delivered 4 wins, 6 draws and 4 defeats. Of the away games in that run, Luton have won just once (at Rotherham at the beginning of October), drawn 2 and lost 3. Their last 4 away games have yielded 1 draw and 3 defeats with 0 goals scored and 7 conceded.

James Collins is their leading striker with 6 goals, after him are several players with 2 goals. Harry Cornick, Danny Hylton and perennial substitute Kazenga Lua Lua are usually the players to cause most problems and with Reading’s injury problems that won’t take too much particularly if Reading continue to try and give away as many Christmas presents as they possibly can.

Luton appear to have barely any injury problems from what is my meagre knowledge of the club while we all know about Reading’s terrible run of luck. That said John Swift should be back but given his fitness levels he’s only likely to make the bench.

Referee

Matthew “I let Reading get a point once” Donohue

Previously

12 Feb 20 > Reading 1-2 West Bromwich Albion
11 Dec 19 > Barnsley 1-1 Reading
21 Sep 19 > Reading 1-2 Blackburn Rovers
10 Aug 19 > Hull City 1-0 Reading

Historically

Only 23 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 23 league games played in Reading 14 have been won by the hoops with 5 going the way of the hats.

How to follow the game

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

[Zip]

Giving this one a swerve. The thought of watching Baldock running around and nearly getting in on goal is just going to annoy me.

[Hound]

I’m going to be so desperately bored by Boxing Day, I’ll probably end up watching it

[bcubed]

Not meeting relatives any more but that was not enjoyable by any stretch of the imagination and I think I will find something else to be doing.

[Sutekh]

Joao may well make this game apparently. Reports of a longer absence possibly greatly exaggerated it seems...

If true it should be just be a matter of sorting out the left back position to have a good chance of being able to offer up a difficult game for Luton.

[Snowflake Royal]

I fear it's a case of "oxf*rd, we're shit without him" and rush him back too soon only to breakdown again.

Saying that I didn't think the injury looked that bad when he got it.

Bar miraculous recoveries I think it's time to shake things up.

...................Southwood
.......Holmes, Morrison, Moore
Esteves, Semedo, Laurent, Bristow
..........................Olise
........Baldock, Melvin-Lambert

Cabral, McIntyre, Rinomhota, Ejaria, Aluko, Swift, Dorsett, Onen, Joao

[URZZZZ]

I fear it's a case of "oxf*rd, we're shit without him" and rush him back too soon only to breakdown again.

Saying that I didn't think the injury looked that bad when he got it.

Bar miraculous recoveries I think it's time to shake things up.

...................Southwood
.......Holmes, Morrison, Moore
Esteves, Semedo, Laurent, Bristow
..........................Olise
........Baldock, Melvin-Lambert

Cabral, McIntyre, Rinomhota, Ejaria, Aluko, Swift, Dorsett, Onen, Joao

Wouldn’t go too far from that, Rafael and Rinomhota in for Southwood and Semedo aside

Need to get players in their proper positions and stop shoehorning players in, irrespective of the injuries

[Snowflake Royal]

Think Rino is looking tired and in need of a break. And with 5 at the back and against Luton two defensive midfielders is probably unnecessary.

[URZZZZ]

If Rino needs a rest, would rather drop Olise back one next to Laurent and play Ejaria/Aluko further forward instead

Not a long term fix as I prefer more solidity in midfield but OK as a temporary measure and the emphasis is slightly reduced with an extra CB

[Stranded]

First midweek off in weeks should see some more rested.

Must win game for me even with our injury crisis. Will take a 1-0 with the ball deflecting in off Baldock's arse now.

[Hound]

Gibson can’t be too bad - he looked fine against Norwich tbh.

Reckon he might be back as well

Joao would be a huge boost but share the concerns about rushing back a muscle injury. Happy to squeeze another game out of Rino and hopefully Swift will be a full starting option in the new year and a ready made replacement to allow him a break

[karbota]

Giving this one a swerve. The thought of watching Baldock running around and nearly getting in on goal is just going to annoy me.

That guy was mom v Brentford, once he is fully fit then the sparks will fly.

[Zip]

I can’t see Rinomhota being rested. He has a week to recharge his batteries. It is time for change in goal though. Rafael has not dropped one too many clangers.

[Sutekh]

Gibson can’t be too bad - he looked fine against Norwich tbh.

Reckon he might be back as well

Joao would be a huge boost but share the concerns about rushing back a muscle injury. Happy to squeeze another game out of Rino and hopefully Swift will be a full starting option in the new year and a ready made replacement to allow him a break

Media say Gibson out to new year.

[Hound]

Gibson can’t be too bad - he looked fine against Norwich tbh.

Reckon he might be back as well

Joao would be a huge boost but share the concerns about rushing back a muscle injury. Happy to squeeze another game out of Rino and hopefully Swift will be a full starting option in the new year and a ready made replacement to allow him a break

Media say Gibson out to new year.

Media/Pauno also said he wasn’t injured at all before the game

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Latest on Gibson seems to be a similar injury to what Joao has, so likely back after the cup game, we should have a couple of others nearly back by then too...need to get through these next 3 games; I'd take 4 points

[Westwood52]

Giving this one a swerve. The thought of watching Baldock running around and nearly getting in on goal is just going to annoy me.

That guy was mom v Brentford, once he is fully fit then the sparks will fly.

Is Baldock into double figures yet ?

[karbota]

Giving this one a swerve. The thought of watching Baldock running around and nearly getting in on goal is just going to annoy me.

That guy was mom v Brentford, once he is fully fit then the sparks will fly.

Is Baldock into double figures yet ?

Yes indeed he is.

[John Smith]

I fear it's a case of "oxf*rd, we're shit without him" and rush him back too soon only to breakdown again.

Saying that I didn't think the injury looked that bad when he got it.

Bar miraculous recoveries I think it's time to shake things up.

...................Southwood
.......Holmes, Morrison, Moore
Esteves, Semedo, Laurent, Bristow
..........................Olise
........Baldock, Melvin-Lambert

Cabral, McIntyre, Rinomhota, Ejaria, Aluko, Swift, Dorsett, Onen, Joao

Wouldn’t go too far from that, Rafael and Rinomhota in for Southwood and Semedo aside

Need to get players in their proper positions and stop shoehorning players in, irrespective of the injuries

If you don’t think the goalkeeper needs replacing then you’ve either got your head in the sand or are in complete denial. One of the two.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Even with half our team out we'll win this comfortably. Looking forward to enjoying a 3-0 win with a glass of baileys.