Many pundits have tipped the Royals to go straight back down whilst optimistic Reading fans have suggested a top six finish for the Madejski Stadium side.
The truth of the matter is no one knows quite what to expect from the forthcoming campaign, many of the playing squad have never played First Division football before.
Alan Pardew was in a bullish mood when he told the Reading Chronicle: "I won't sit back and watch us get relegated. Whatever happens, we'll have a real go with this squad and if it's not good enough we'll strengthen it. We'll simply have to or we'll be straight back down and I won't accept that."