Match Preview

When Saturday 27 January 2001, 3.00pm kick-off
MATCH POSTPONED
A 9.30am pitch inspection at Kenilworth Road means this game wont be going ahead after overnight snow and frost.
Who and Where Luton Town (Away, Kenilworth Road, League Division Two)
Ticket Info

This match is ALL-TICKET for Reading fans.
Reading have been allocated 2,000 tickets for seating behind the goal. Although the game is all-ticket for Reading fans and only seating is available you're allowed to sit where you want on arrival at the game.
You must buy your tickets in advance from the Madejski Stadium ticket office.
Adults: £14
Concessions:
£8
Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the ticket office on 0118 968 1000.

Travel,
Food and Beer.

Kenilworth Road Stadium
1 Maple Road, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU4 8AW.
Reading have been allocated 2,000 tickets behind the goal in the Oak Road Stand - the entrance is hidden in the terraced houses which surround the ground. There's a couple of nearby pubs including the The Bedfordshire Yeoman (214 Dallow Lane) or Nelson's Flagship (2-5 Dunstable Road), or if you're game the Conservative club right near the ground (walk towards the main road from the away end) lets you in on match days!!

By Car:
Head towards Luton and then follow signs towards Dunstable on the A505 which will take you pretty close to the ground.
There's plenty of street parking around - in fact that's pretty much all there is. If you arrive close to kick off you might find it hard to find a space though without having to walk quite a way to the ground.
Click here for route planning and latest travel information from the RAC

By Train:
Luton station is a short taxi ride away (three pounds) - It's also possible to walk or get the bus from Park Square or Upper George Street (numbers 31, 37, 38 and 61)

By Coach:
If you are a member of RFSC you may wish to check the travel details for this game.

Team news

Reading - from: Whitehead, Newman, Viveash, Hunter, Gray, Caskey, Jones, Murty, Rougier, Igoe, Parkinson, Cureton, Butler, McIntyre, Smith, Hodges, Howie.

Luton Town - from: Ovendale, Boyce, Whitbread, McGowan, Karlsen, Holmes, George, Spring, Mansell, Nogan, Thompson, Fotiadis, Stein, Douglas, Abbey, Stirling.

Form Guide

Reading fans may have felt that our league form has dipped a bit recently but Luton's continues in the same manner that points to relegation unless their season picks up. Luton's last league victory was way back on boxing day last year - a 3-2 home victory over Peterborough - a few days after Reading were victorious over Luton at the Madejski Stadium. Since then the side have had four straight league defeats including home defeats against Wigan and Wycombe and away defeats against Bournemouth and Oldham. On Tuesday night Luton went down 0-2 at Oldham. Although Luton managed a 3-3 home draw against QPR in the FA Cup they went out in the replay, 1-2.

With Reading's away form similar to Luton's home form it points to a possible away victory for the Royals. Reading have won three games away from home in the league this season while Luton have won three at home - but Reading's record is better with three draws compared to Luton's one. Luton have already lost nine games at home and only scored 13 goals in front of their home fans in the league. Reading's last league win remains the 2-0 victory over Bury in October - but since then we've drawn three league matches at beaten Hereford at their place in the LDV.

View Latest Second Division Table and Form Table

Previous Meetings 

Reading and Luton town are closely matched in their league meetings through the years - although Reading's 4-1 win earlier this season gives them the upper hand with 18 wins compared to Luton's 17. 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 - a victory which 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: 19
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.

2000/2001 Season:
23 December 2000: Reading 4 Luton Town 1

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

Odds available at William Hill, where you can get £25 back on your first bet:
Despite playing away from home, Reading are favourites with the bookies for victory!
Reading win: 6/5
Draw: 9/4
Luton Town win: 9/5

Predictions The kind of game we must win away from home.
A close victory for the Royals.
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 http://www.lutonfc.com/ - Unofficial site

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