|
Reading fans have long looked to this fixture as a chance to avenge last season's humiliating 3-0 score. Worse still was having to listen to Derby fans singing 'Your Only Here To See The Champions'.
It's hard not to laugh at the optimism that fluttered over Pride Park that day because 'Champions' Derby eventually managed to finish just eighteenth. New boss Craig Burley faces the unenviable task of turning the fortunes of the cash strapped club round.
Reading will hope for three points but should fear their determined opposition who will be desperate to avoid further early season embarrassment.
Royals boss Alan Pardew faces a selection headache ahead of tomorrow's game. With Nicky Shorey suspended, Pards must decide whether to field wingmen Nathan Tyson or John Salako at left-back. Alternatively, the Reading chief could choose to revert to a 3-5-2 formation and use Salako and Murray as wing-backs.
After a dazzling display against Nottingham Forest last weekend, Kevin Watson will keep his place in midfield at James Harper's expense. Few would have predicted that 22-year-old Harper would find himself out of the team this early in the campaign but Watson left Pardew with no choice, after last week's Man of the Match display he has to play.
Omar Daley could make his Reading debut tomorrow, but should he feature it will most probably be as a sub. The 22-year-old Jamaican, who will play for his country against Australia in a friendly at the Madejski next month, set-up two goals for the reserves in mid-week as they won 7-0.
Up front, Nicky Forster should again partner Shaun Goater. The duo's alliance is slowly beginning to reap rewards, despite Goater's continual low-levels of fitness.
Martin Butler is expected to be on the bench and should feature at some stage. The Dudley-born centre-forward notched a phenomenal five goals for the reserves this week and is pushing Forster and Goater hard for a starting role.
Derby meanwhile have lost Lee Bradbury to injury, the Pompey loan man has returned to the South Coast having broken his foot. But the quick-thinking Rams have swooped to sign former Walsall man Junior as his replacement.
Michael Johnson, a player recently linked with Reading, joined Craig Burley's side just over a week ago, making the short move from Birmingham. He should play. Matthias Svensson could make his Derby debut in defence, the Swede has joined the club on loan from Southampton.
It's a game that Reading should win, but despite the Rams parlous position it will not be an easy game.
Probable Reading Line-Up: (4-4-2) Hahnemann; Murty, Williams (Captain), Brown, Salako; Murray Sidwell, Watson, Hughes; Forster, Goater
Reading MAD Predict: A 1-0 win for Reading, thanks to a late goal from sub Martin Butler. |