Reading FC vs Charlton Athletic
3pm Kick-Off
Referee –NEIL SWARBRICK
INTRODUCTIONJohann B Gudmundsson proved on Tuesday night that he was the best thing out of Iceland since Hermann Hreidarsson, as his brace helped seal a great point for Charlton in Leeds.
However, to repeat the outcome at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday away at Reading, would be even better if you ask me.
Despite only being in 13th place, the Royals should not be underestimated especially with some of the quality that they have in their squad.
In this fixture, Reading have come out on top more times than the Addicks, winning 14 games, compared to Charlton’s 12 and additionally, there has been 11 draws between the two clubs.
THE OPPOSITIONAs mentioned earlier, Reading’s squad is very impressive indeed and the majority of their team wouldn’t look too out of place in a Premier League squad.
Having said that, Tuesday night’s 3-0 victory over Rotherham was only their second in ten matches (Same as the Addicks).
In that period, they conceded 18 goals, which coincidentally, is the same tally of goals that Charlton have let in all season!
Due to that victory against Rotherham, Nigel Adkins is unlikely to make many more changes ahead of this weekend. That means the likes of Simon Cox, Jamie Mackie and Glenn Murray should start against the Addicks.
ONE TO WATCH – SIMON COXThere were a number of players I could have chosen to pick out as ‘one to watch’, but my choice this week is:
Simon Cox.
The forward, signed in the summer from Nottingham Forest, has been a deadly threat in front of goal wherever he has played.
Since joining from Forest, the Republic of Ireland international has scored seven league goals in only 16 games for Reading and will no doubt cause Bikey and Ben Haim a few problems on Saturday.
Cox is a lethal finisher (innuendo not intended) and will be hoping that a promotion-push campaign for the Royals could lead him back into being a Premier League footballer.
LINE-UPAnother injury for big Bob Peeters to worry about in the week, when Rhoys Wiggins had to leave the Elland Road with a re-occurrence to a toe injury which kept him out of the Fulham game.
With Wiggins likely to miss Saturday’s match, Peeters may opt to play loanee Francis Coquelin at left-back as the versatile Frenchman has featured in that position for Arsenal on a number of occasions.
Chris Solly will probably come in for Lawrie Wilson at right-back, while Ben Haim and Bikey should continue in the middle of defence.
In midfield, if Peeters opts for a 4-4-2, then Gudmundsson, Jackson, Buyens and Cousins should play, while up-top Igor Vetokele may start alongside George Tucudean.
Callum Harriott will probably be demoted to the bench, but he along with, Franck Moussa, Karlan Ahearne-Grant and Lawrie Wilson will all be pushing for a first-team spot.
PREDICTIONA form, which combined = four wins out of 20, probably means this one is going to be another draw.
Reading 2-2 Charlton Athletic
Comments
3-1 Reading
And all set up for the scum to go above us in a couple of weeks
Pass me them happy pills please
5 - 3 to the Addicks
Henderson
Onyewu, Tal, Bikey
Solly,Cousins,Buyens,Coquelin,Fox
Johann
Igor
A powerful defence and overlapping wing backs plus a striker in form! Jackson available at 60 minutes to shore things up.
Solly Bikey TBH Fox
Buyens Coq
Harriott Gudnundsson Moussa
Vetokele
This is what I would like to see don't think bob would pick this though.. so maybe some thing more like the below..
Henderson
Solly Bikey TBH Fox
Cousins Buyens Coq
Gudmundsson
Tucudean Vetokele
3-1 Charlton
were due a resounding win and dominate a whole game think this will be it!
Reading 1 v CAFC 1
My away record (luckily I rarely travel away) is appalling over the years. In fact at this moment I cannot recall ever seeing us win!
2-2 at Chelsea c1982 is the best that comes to mind.
2-1 cafc!
It's nice to have some midfield options but I still feel we need a decent lefty. Bulot hasn't done it for me so far.
Gomez
Solly
Ben Haim
Bikey
Coqeulin
Cousins
Buyens
Jackson
Gudmundsson
Vetokele
Subs:
Pope
Onyewu
Fox
Moussa
Ahearne-Grant
Wilson
Tucudean
1-2 defeat. Reading are scoring for fun at home.
According to FIFA (They usually do get their stats about right before I'm laughed at, and no it didnt take me 45mins on the phone to find them out) ... He's no where near quick enough to be a winger and should we decide to play him out there then am sure it would be a Footballing equivalent of suicide
Surely he has to if we are to get anything from this one?
Reading have a decent home record this season - will be another tough one
Reading 5 Charlton 7
Pope wilson fox Munns Onyewu Thomas Coquelin Ahearne-Grant Daniels Moussa Bulot.
Bob Peeters Team For Reading:
Henderson Solly Coquelin Jackson Bikey TBH Gudmundsson Buyens Vetokele Tucudean Cousins.
The Rodgers team gives lots of energy but lose 1-0.
The Peeters team have good 30 mins and the draw kings strike again 1-1
The down side is team are hit by mystery bug the following weekend and Rodgers team have to play against.......
Ipswich
Spanners
Fulham
Blackpool
Rotherham
Not exactly earth-shattering.
The away win at Boro (in August) is their only result of any note this season.
Hendo
Solly Beast Ben Foxy
Coq Jacko Yoni Cousins
JBG
Igor
2-1 away win