Reading vs Notts Forest - 1871Royals Match Preview


By Rob Tan
April 15 2005

Reading are hot on the heels of Wigan and Ipswich at the top of the Championship and with Nottingham Forest at the other end of the table this game should be a well contested affair. READING VS WIGAN ATHLETIC

READING
VS
NOTTS FOREST

16TH APRIL 2005

15:00 PM KICK OFF

MADEJSKI STADIUM

TEAM NEWS

Reading have a full squad going into this weekend's home game against struggling Nottingham Forest. Glenn Little is fit again and will challenge for a place on the right wing with Andy Hughes and Paul Brooker. Brooker and Hughes will also be hopeful of a chance to play on the left of midfield - Bobby Convey could be on the bench. Brooker and Little could be the two wide men starting tomorrow's game.

Ivar Ingimarsson was taken off for his mistake against Sunderland despite being solid and generally consistent at the back for the Royals this season. Ibrahima Sonko, the less experienced of the two remained on the pitch and was partnered by Martin Keown who will be hoping to start for the Royals having made a good impression last week.

Another player having an impact from the bench (and in his case twice last week) was Les Ferdinand; he will also hope to start. Coppell has stated that it is a dilemma whether to start his veterans or throw them on from the bench. Coppell has a number of possible starting line ups and could bring James Harper back into the starting eleven after he came on in both games last week.

Forest have John Thompson out with a long term knee injury and David Friio and John Curtis are also out this weekend. Defender Alan Rogers may be available for selection.

Forest Key Player - Kris Commons

FORM GUIDE

Last time the teams met the Royals were chasing the automatic promotion spots. Now, nearing the close of the season, Reading are chasing the play-offs and currently lie in them. With West Ham and Sheffield United close behind the Royals the pressure is on to get a victory to keep the charge alive. Recent form has been good and the poor run earlier this year has been transformed into some solid form and some battling comebacks, notably at Sunderland last week. However, Reading have a habit of slipping up against teams at the bottom and their recent string of results is marred by a late defeat at Millmoor.

Forest were lying low in the Championship for Reading's trip to the City Ground and true to form the Royals lost 1-0, but with more at stake surely the Rs will do better the second time around.

After two wins at home an away win at Forest would put the defeat at Coventry and following draw at Plymouth well in the past. Nottingham are still in trouble and will need to beat Reading to keep their hopes of survival from disappearing.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Forest 1:0 Reading - 20/12/04
Forest 0:1 Reading - 17/01/04
Reading 3:0 Forest - 16/08/03
Reading 1:0 Forest - 18/04/03
Forest 2:0 Reading - 21/12/02
Forest 1:0 Reading - 26/04/98

OTHER INFORMATION

Ticket Information

Tickets still remain for this fixture. Please note the club have a policy of one ticket per member card for remaining home games this season. Member Cards are free you can sign up for one when purchasing your tickets.

Away supporters will be able to purchase tickets on the day from the South Stand Ticket Office.

Please Click Here for the ticket prices regarding this game

Other Useful Information

Programme: £2.50

Ref Watch: Steve Tanner

Nottingham Forest Unofficial Sites:

www.alternativeforest.co.uk, www.nottinghamforest.rivals.net

Championship Fixtures

Burnley vs Brighton
Coventry vs Wolves
Gillingham vs Crewe
Leicester vs Wigan
Preston vs Cardiff
QPR vs Leeds
Reading vs Notts Forest
Rotherham vs Watford
Stoke vs Plymouth
West Ham vs Millwall


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