23 February 2018
By Hob Nob Anyone?
Reading host Derby County this weekend, as they continue to look for their first home win on a Saturday of the season. Home fans have had little to get excited about all season - particularly on Saturdays as the club continue to spiral down towards the bottom three places in the Championship. It's another tough fixture for the Royals who have failed to score a single goal in their last three home league fixtures. As Stam correctly points out: "We're struggling a little bit at home to be honest". A point would feel like an impressive achievement against a Derby County side who are fourth in the table and still looking to close the gap on the automatic promotion positions.
If there is a glimmer of hope for the Royals, who have won just one league game out of twelve, it is that Derby have also taken a dip in form with just a single win in their last six games. It is lined up to be a dull afternoon at the Madejski Stadium. Reading can't score at home, while Derby have also drawn a blank in their last two away games. Still football is a funny old game, and while a 0-0 draw would be a reasonable prediction, surely with both sides due goals we might hope for something different.
Recent fixtures with Derby have certainly provided lots of goals - so there is something to hang on to there. Our trip to Derby back in November 2017 is probably our best result of the season. We hit the road in 20th place that day, expecting another defeat against a side up the top of the table, but left Derby with three points having won by two goals and scoring a huge four. Moore, Aluko, Beerens and Barrow were all on the scoresheet as the Royals climbed to 18th - which is exactly where we still find ourselves. Half that haul of goals would be a massive achievement. Last season Derby were 2-3 winners at the Madejski Stadium, while the Royals took a point on the road.
Jaap Stam, under increasing pressure from the fans and media, will be forced to make one change from the team that so nearly picked up three points at Nottingham Forest in the week. Chris Martin is on loan from Derby so will be forced to sit this one out. In his place Bodvarsson, who was an unused substitute on Tuesday night is likely to step into the side with Kermorgant expected to miss out due to his calf injury. Otherwise Stam might not make any changes from a side that looked reasonable in the opening forty-five minutes in Nottingham.
However, Stam always likes to shuffle things around regardless of the most recent performance so other changes are always likely. John Swift will be hoping to make it to the bench as he is expected to be fit following his hamstring problems. Derby may be without both former Reading player Matej Vydra and Nugent up front, while goalkeeper Mitchell is also out injured.
| DATE | COMPETITION | OPPOSITION | SCORE | REPORT |
| 04 November 2017 | Championship | Derby (Away) | W: 4-2 | Read report... |
| 21 January 2017 | Championship | Derby (Away) | L: 2-3 | Read report... |
| 01 October 2016 | Championship | Derby (HOME) | D: 1-1 | Read report... |
| 12 January 2016 | Championship | Derby (Away) | D: 1-1 | Read report... |
| 15 September 2015 | Championship | Derby (HOME) | L: 0-1 | Read report... |
| 02 May 2015 | Championship | Derby (Away) | W: 3-0 | Read report... |
| 14 February 2015 | FA Cup | Derby (Away) | W: 2-1 | Read report... |
| 18 October 2014 | Championship | Derby (HOME) | L: 0-3 | Read report... |
| 23 September 2014 | League Cup | Derby (Away) | L: 0-2 | Read report... |
| 15 March 2014 | Championship | Derby (HOME) | D: 0-0 | Read report... |
| 21 September 2013 | Championship | Derby (Away) | W: 3-1 | Read report... |
| 14 February 2012 | Championship | Derby (Away) | W: 1-0 | Read report... |
| 18 October 2011 | Championship | Derby (HOME) | D: 2-2 | Read report... |
| 07 May 2011 | Championship | Derby (HOME) | W: 2-1 | Read report... |
| 18 December 2010 | Championship | Derby (Away) | W: 2-1 | Read report... |
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