16 March 2015
By Alex Bower
The day that Reading fans have been counting down to has finally arrived.
Following an underwhelming 0-0 draw away at Valley Parade, the FA Cup
Quarter Final tie versus the Bantams comes to the Madejski for the replay on
Monday night. Being only two days after their league fixtures against Watford
and Notts County, the sides have had only a short period to recover.
This being said, the Reading players are in a relatively better position than their
opponents. With a place in the FA Cup Semi-Final against Arsenal at stake,
Steve Clarke made some drastic changes in their 4-1 away defeat to Watford.
Jake Cooper and Hope Akpan were the only ones to keep their places in the
starting lineup, meaning fans saw the likes of Zat Knight, Jure Travner, Niall
Keown and Jack Stacey all making their first league starts for the club. Though
it may have meant sacrificing any chance of getting points against a strong
Watford side, it does mean that the strongest Reading starting eleven will be
fully rested and ready to go on Monday. Bradford made only six changes for
their 1-1 draw against Notts County, as they continue to fight for promotion to
the Championship. Amongst those starting the game was striker Jon Stead,
who scored once again for the Bantams. By playing some of their big names at
the weekend, Reading will be hoping their opposition will not be as fresh as
they are.
To say that winning the FA Cup Quarter-Final is a big deal to both clubs would
be an understatement. To get to this point in the competition, Bradford have
earned their "giant-killer" reputation by beating the likes of Chelsea and
Sunderland. If they manage to beat Reading at the Madejski, they will make it
into their first FA Cup Semi-Final in 104 years. For The Royals, the wait has not
been as long but you have to go back as far as 1927 to find the last time they
have made it into the final four. In a season when league success has been
severely limited, the FA Cup run is currently giving Reading fans something to
get excited about. Although it may only be a game against a League One side,
one more victory will take the Royals to Wembley.
With only a few tickets left for the match, despite being an evening fixture, the
atmosphere promises to be the best yet at the Madejski. If Reading can start
brightly and give the crowd something to cheer, the Royals could win the game
comfortably. If they allow Bradford to get time on the ball and dictate the pace
of the game, they will have their work cut out for them against the determined
underdogs.
The first match saw only one shot on target between the two
teams, so the strikers will have to up their game on this occasion.
With the in-form Reading striker Jamie Mackie surely returning to the starting lineup,
Reading will be optimistic of finding the net this time around. Bradford will be
equally optimistic with joint FA Cup top goalscorer Stead in the side. The
Bantams have lost only three of fifteen FA Cup matches under Phil Parkinson,
so it will be as tough for the teams the second time around.
For those not able to make the game, it will also be shown live on the BBC.
Though the draw may not have been exciting enough the first time round, all
eyes will be on the Madejski come Monday night.
Tonight's match is a 7:45pm kick-off instead of the usual 8pm due to live coverage on BBC1. The winners will meet Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final to be staged at Wembley Stadium.
Bettings Odds:
Recent Meetings with Bradford City:
| DATE | COMPETITION | OPPOSITION | SCORE | REPORT |
| 07 March 2015 | FA Cup | Bradford (Away) | D: 0-0 | Read report... |
| 10 April 2004 | Division 1 | Bradford (Away) | L: 1-2 | Read report... |
| 04 October 2003 | Division 1 | Bradford (HOME) | D: 2-2 | Read report... |
| 22 March 2003 | Division 1 | Bradford (Away) | W: 1-0 | Read report... |
| 29 October 2002 | Division 1 | Bradford (HOME) | W: 1-0 | Read report... |
| 22 September 1999 | League Cup | Bradford (HOME) | D: 2-2 | Read report... |
| 14 September 1999 | League Cup | Bradford (Away) | D: 1-1 | Read report... |
| 27 January 1998 | Division 1 | Bradford (Away) | L: 1-4 | Read report... |
| 30 August 1997 | Division 1 | Bradford (HOME) | L: 0-3 | Read report... |
| 15 March 1997 | Division 1 | Bradford (HOME) | D: 0-0 | Read report... |
| 17 December 1996 | Division 1 | Bradford (Away) | D: 0-0 | Read report... |
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