07 April 2017
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading travel to Norwich City this weekend after a run of three straight league wins that has made a play-off finish more likely than not. The Royals are now nine points clear of seventh placed Fulham with just six games of the season remaining. Any points at Norwich this weekend will go a long way towards making the play-offs a certainty, especially with home games against Wigan and Rotherham still to come for Reading. After a dip in form, the Royals seem to be coming good at just the right time as the season enters it's final stages. Norwich have been inconsistent all season and mid-table is now looking more likely for them.
The last time the two sides met was on Boxing Day at the Madejski Stadium when Reading were helped by Norwich midfielder Jonny Howson getting sent off shortly after the visitors had equalised to make it 1-1. McCleary stuck home the spot-kick rebound to make it 2-1 before Harriott wrapped up the three points with a late third goal for the Royals.
Harriott will be missing this time as he remains out through injury. Rakels is still yet to make an appearance after returning from injury and may be hoping to get some match action before the season wrap up. Paul McShane and Joey van den Berg may both be back available for selection but Stam may keep Tiago Ilori involved again after he returned from injury during Tuesday night's 3-1 victory over Blackburn. Jordan Obita could also miss out due to minor injury.
Norwich have let in five goals in their last two games, without scoring, and will have a big boost with defenders Mitchell Dijks and Ivo Pinto back in action. Both players have been out due to suspensions which ended after their 0-3 away defeat against Huddersfield Town on Wednesday night. Norwich have suffered with their away form but this promises to be a difficult game for the Royals.
At home Norwich are unbeaten in nine games, which has included some big wins and a 2-2 draw with table toppers Newcastle United. Norwich still have a slim chance of getting in the play-offs but that is looking increasingly unlikely. Should Norwich fail to beat Reading their season will effectively be over and caretaker manager Alan Irvine will probably be pleased to hand the reins over.
| DATE | COMPETITION | OPPOSITION | SCORE | REPORT |
| 26 December 2016 | Championship | Norwich (HOME) | W: 3-1 | Read report... |
| 28 December 2014 | Championship | Norwich (HOME) | W: 2-1 | Read report... |
| 29 November 2014 | Championship | Norwich (Away) | W: 2-1 | Read report... |
| 20 April 2013 | Premier League | Norwich (Away) | L: 1-2 | Read report... |
| 10 November 2012 | Premier League | Norwich (HOME) | D: 0-0 | Read report... |
| 12 February 2011 | Championship | Norwich (Away) | L: 1-2 | Read report... |
| 13 November 2010 | Championship | Norwich (HOME) | D: 3-3 | Read report... |
| 27 April 2009 | Championship | Norwich (Away) | W: 2-0 | Read report... |
| 13 December 2008 | Championship | Norwich (HOME) | W: 2-0 | Read report... |
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