When | Sunday 25 May 2001, 3.00PM Kick-Off |
Who and Where | SECOND
DIVISION PLAY OFF FINAL WALSALL (Millennium Stadium, Cardiff) |
Ticket Info |
Tickets for the play-off
final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff go on sale to season ticket
holders only on Friday 18th May. Tickets can be purchased by personal
callers only at the ticket office - and there are a maximum of six
tickets available per season ticket holder. Obviously this
match is ALL-TICKET and tickets will be sold out well in advance of the
game, and all stands are reserved seating. |
Travel, Food and Beer. |
The location of the
Millennium stadium couldn't be better - the stadium is located on the
site of the old Cardiff Arms Park right in the middle of Cardiff City
centre, which means you can choose from any city centre pubs and cafes
that will have room to let us in! By Car: Parking Supporters' Club
Coaches: Other Coaches: Staying overnight: Further Information: |
Team news |
Both Graeme Murty and Darren Caskey have shaken off injuries during the week to declare themselves fit for the biggest match for six years - leaving Alan Pardew with plenty of options to choose from when naming his starting eleven. Jamie Cureton continues to play through injury while he waits for a operation during the summer and is expected to start ahead of super-sub Nicky Forster who turned the game around for us against Wigan last Wednesday night. If Forster does start then it seems likely Cureton could be on the bench for his chance to become super sub if needed. Caskey could well be on the bench with Harper looking for a start. In the centre of defence Pardew will probably stick with Viveash and Adrian Williams - but Barry Hunter competes for Williams place. The two full backs could be any two from Gurney, Robinson and Murty. Reading will be on the look out for Miguel Matias who'll be up front for Walsall after scoring two of the four goals that saw them beat Stoke City 4-2 to progress to the final. Ex-Reading player Tony Barras, who made six appearances for the Royals on loan and after signing for £20,000, will start in defence for Walsall. Ex-Sunderland and Everton player Brett Angell will probably start on the bench. Reading - from: Whitehead, Gurney, Viveash, Williams, Robinson, Parkinson, Caskey, Harper, Igoe, Forster, Cureton, Butler, McIntyre, Rougier, Howie, Hunter, Murty. Walsall - from: Walker, Brightwell, Aranalde, Tillson, Barras, Hall, Gadsby, Bennett, Keates, Matias, Leitao, Angell, Goodman, Byfield, Bukran, Emberson. |
Form Guide |
Reading's Last
Six Games Of The Season Reading's route through the play-offs Walsall's Last
Six Games Of The Season Walsall's route through the play-offs |
Previous Meetings |
Reading wins: 21 2000/2001 Season: |
Match Odds |
Odds available at
William
Hill,
where you can get £25 back on your first bet: |
Predictions | It really does promise to be the most amazing occassion as the season ends for Reading in front of over 70,000 fans at the Millennium Stadium - the majority of which will be Reading fans. Hopefully Reading's massive support in Cardiff will give them the edge over a Walsall side that finished below us in the league. The single game determines the whole future of the club and the pressure will be huge. With solid support from the travelling Reading fans - we can win this game - and we can get promoted to Division One. A victory for the Royals. |
Opposition Site | http://steveroy.com/walsall/ Decent unofficial site. |
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