24 February 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading travel to Brighton this Saturday knowing that only a victory will keep alive any outside chance of automatic promotion this season. Following Tuesday night's 0-1 defeat at promotion rivals Huddersfield, the Royals are 8 points behind second placed Brighton but have also played an extra game. An unlikely Reading win would keep the dream alive, but any other result will realisitically confirm that the Royals only chance of promotion this season will be through the play-offs. Reading are currently well clear of seventh placed Fulham but will still need to maintain decent form to finish in the top six.
Neither Reading or Brighton have any new injury problems ahead of the game, and Jaap Stam has options to shuffle things around after Tuesday's defeat. Paul McShane was back from injury mid-week but ended up being an unused substitute. Reading only conceeded the single late goal at Huddersfield but McShane may still find himself back alongside the ever reliable Liam Moore as Reading look to keep Brighton out.
Joey Van den Berg is fit but may find that he unable to get back in the starting eleven after Stam strengthened his squad during the transfer window. Grabban and Kermorgant again were not paired together with Kermorgant replacing Grabban from the bench with 20 minutes to play - perhaps Stam may change things up front as Reading will need to find the net. Popa looked very lively when he played the last half an hour and will be hoping for more involvement this weekend.
Reading have lost to Brighton just twice in their last 15 meetings (both 0-1 away defeats) and have won 8 of those fixtures. This season we drew 2-2 at the Madejski Stadium back in August before a surprise 2-1 victory at Brighton in the League Cup. Quinn and Swift were on the scoresheet that evening. Unfortunately our last league game in Brighton was one of those 0-1 defeats - and it will be Brighton who are firm favourites for the victory and another big step towards a top two finish and a place in the Premier League.
The game is being screened live on Sky Sports this Saturday, with a 5:30pm kick-off.
| DATE | COMPETITION | OPPOSITION | SCORE | REPORT |
| 20 September 2016 | League Cup | Brighton (Away) | W: 2-1 | Read report... |
| 20 August 2016 | Championship | Brighton (HOME) | D: 2-2 | Read report... |
| 15 March 2016 | Championship | Brighton (Away) | L: 0-1 | Read report... |
| 31 October 2015 | Championship | Brighton (HOME) | D: 1-1 | Read report... |
| 10 March 2015 | Championship | Brighton (HOME) | W: 2-1 | Read report... |
| 26 December 2014 | Championship | Brighton (Away) | D: 2-2 | Read report... |
| 08 March 2014 | Championship | Brighton (Away) | D: 1-1 | Read report... |
| 04 January 2014 | FA Cup | Brighton (Away) | L: 0-1 | Read report... |
| 15 September 2013 | Championship | Brighton (HOME) | D: 0-0 | Read report... |
| 10 April 2012 | Championship | Brighton (Away) | W: 1-0 | Read report... |
| 26 December 2011 | Championship | Brighton (HOME) | W: 3-0 | Read report... |
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