Match Preview

When Saturday 23 December 2000, 3.00pm kick-off
Who and Where Luton Town (Home, Madejski Stadium, League Division Two)
Ticket Info

Pay in advance or on the day, normal home match prices apply.
Fans are advised to purchase tickets in advance.
Upper West Stand: Adults: £18 in advance, £20 on the day. Concessions: £12 in advance, £14 on the day.
Lower West, East and North Stands:
Adults: £12 in advance, £14 on the day. Concessions: £7 in advance, £8 on the day.
(These prices also apply for visitors in the South stand)
The East Stand is unreserved seating.
The North Stand is unreserved seating.
Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the ticket office on 0118 968 1000.

Travel,
Food and Beer.

Home match - See away fans guide for travel, food and beer guide.

Team news

Reading - from: Whitehead, Gurney, Viveash, Mackie, Robinson, Igoe, Smith, Jones, Caskey, Parkinson, Cureton, Butler, Hodges, Rougier, Hunter, Newman, Gray.

Luton Town - from: Abbey, Johnson, Whitbread, Watts, Boyce, Helin, McLaren, Spring, Locke,Taylor, George, Fotiadis, Nogan, Ovendale, Baptiste, Fraser.

Form Guide

Reading's form has definately taken a turn for the worse. Earlier this season every home game seemed a guaranteed victory, but now it seems nothing is certain. While Reading were getting beaten 1-3 by third division York City in their FA Cup second round replay, Luton Town were beating Darlington 2-0 at home in their tie - with former Reading player Lee Nogan on the score sheet.

The Royals are currently fifth in Division Two, with Luton Town in 23rd place in the table with just Oxford United below them:
View Latest Second Division Table

Previous Meetings 

Reading and Luton town are evenly matched in their league meetings through the years with 17 wins each and 6 draws. In the cups Luton have beaten the Royals once in both the FA Cup and the League cup, after a replay. Reading of course beat Luton Town in the Simod Cup final in 1988. Not sure how I left that off this original preview since it remains one of Reading's greatest triumphs. The Royals won 4-1 at Wembley Stadium to take the trophy with goals from Michael Gilkes, Stuart Beavon, Neil Smillie, and Mick Tait.
Reading wins: 18
Draws: 7
Luton Town wins: 19

Reading and Luton have both been in the Second Division over the past two seasons with Reading losing both of the fixtures in the 1999/2000 season, and doing much better the season before with an away draw and a 3-0 victory at the Madejski Stadium. The 3-0 win on the 22nd of August 1998 is one of the most important matches in Reading's history - the first match to be played at the Madejski Stadium. Grant Brebner was the first player to score at Reading's new home, and goals from McIntyre and Fleck sealed the victory, with Mass Sarr the man of the match.

1999/2000 Season:
22 January 2000: Luton Town 3 Reading 1
21 August 1999: Reading 1 Luton Town 2

1998/1999 Season:
23 March 1999: Luton Town 1 Reading 1
22 August 1998: Reading 3 Luton Town 0
Click on the result for match reports.

Match Odds

Available at William Hill, if you sign up at the moment they're offering £25 cash back on your first bet.
Reading are again big favourites for victory - but I wouldn't be too fast to put money on a home wins on some unimpressive odds - the following are returns on a £1 bet:
Reading win: £1.44
Draw: £3.60
Luton Town win: £7.00

Predictions A much needed home win.
What do you think?
You can enter your Prediction on-line within the Hob Nob Anyone? Prediction League - and also be in with the chance of winning up to £150 worth of Reading FC vouchers.
Opposition Site  

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