New Season Kicks-Off With Stoke City Visit

17 August 2012
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading start life back in the Premier League this weekend with the visit of Stoke City to the Madejski Stadium. The Royals will be looking to start the season with a victory - particually with tough away games at Chelsea and Sunderland to follow in the coming week.

While Reading have had what appears to be a fruitful time in the transfer market, it has been a quiet time for Stoke City. The Royals have made plenty of key signings and the only players out of the door are fringe players on loan deals. Stoke have signed just two players - Michael Kightly from Wolves for an undisclosed fee and Jamie Ness from Rangers on a free transfer. Meanwhile four players have permanently left the club during the summer. Stoke had a good start to last season but struggled later in the season and could be in for a difficult season this time around - something the Royals will be looking to take advantage of.

Reading have played Stoke City 26 times since the start of the 1994/1995 season with Reading having the upper hand winning 13 games compared to Stoke's five (six if you include the league cup penalty shoot out in 2008). The last four league meetings between the two sides were in the Championship with Reading winning all four fixtures.

• Reading -v- Stoke - Previous Meetings
• New Season - Reading FC Fixtures

Share this article: