Reading Back In Action As Wolves Visit

By Hob Nob Anyone?

After the International break, the Royals return to Championship football this weekend with table toppers Wolverhampton Wanderers visiting the Madejski Stadium. After sixteen games played, Wolves have been beaten just three times, and find themselves two points clear in first place, after a recent run of 5 wins from 6 games. Their only recent league defeat was on the road at QPR at the end of October - a 1-2 defeat with QPR scoring the winner with nine minutes left to play. Wolves immediately followed that up with a 2-0 win at Norwich and a home win over Fulham by the same scoreline to underline their promotion credentials.

Meanwhile, at the same time as Wolves dropped three points, Reading were on a run of just one win from 8 league games, and we would all have been certain that Reading would be facing certain defeat when they came up against Wolves. However, times have changed, the Royals appear to have turned a corner with two excellent victories against decent teams and scoring 7 goals in the process. No one saw such a dramatic turn around and the victories over Nottingham Forest and Derby in our last two games have seen optimism return to Reading fans.

Should Reading continue the same style and determination they demonstrated before the break then they should give high flying Wolves a good game at least. Wolves are obviously firm favourites for the win, but Reading should relish the chance to continue their run and prove they could yet make something of this season. The result will hugely depend on if Reading are able to continue their news fast, postitive style of play.

Reading had a few injury concerns before the break, but should now have players back ready for selection. Tiago Ilori is expected to be available for action after his head injury suffered in a collision with Liam Moore. Moore has kept on playing through all bandaged up, but could be in the side without his distinctive head bandage this weekend. Joey van den Berg will be back in the squad and we may see Jon Dadi Bodvarsson in contention - if Jaap Stam thinks he is a useful option with Reading starting to find the goals and Yann Kermorgant now fully fit and hoping to get more match minutes behind him.

The Royals have a reasonable recent record against Wolves. Although we lost 0-2 away from home last season, we were 2-1 winners at home in March 2017 with Kermorgant and McShane scoring the vital goals. Reading have won 5 out of the last 10 meetings between the sides and Wolves have won just two of those fixtures - both at their place. You have to go back over 12 years to find Wolves last win at Reading - a disappointing afternoon that effectively ended our play-off chances with a game of the season left to play. That match is well back in history and Reading will be hoping to continue their recent league form and their form at the Madejski Stadium against Wolves.

Recent Meetings With Wolves

DATE	COMPETITION	OPPOSITION	SCORE	REPORT
04 March 2017	Championship	Wolves (HOME)	W: 2-1	Read report...
13 August 2016	Championship	Wolves (Away)	L: 0-2	Read report...
06 February 2016	Championship	Wolves (HOME)	D: 0-0	Read report...
26 December 2015	Championship	Wolves (Away)	L: 0-1	Read report...
07 February 2015	Championship	Wolves (Away)	W: 2-1	Read report...
28 September 2014	Championship	Wolves (HOME)	D: 3-3	Read report...
27 January 2009	Championship	Wolves (HOME)	W: 1-0	Read report...
30 September 2008	Championship	Wolves (Away)	W: 3-0	Read report...
18 March 2006	Championship	Wolves (HOME)	D: 1-1	Read report...
26 December 2005	Championship	Wolves (Away)	W: 2-0	Read report...
30 April 2005	Championship	Wolves (HOME)	L: 1-2	Read report...
04 December 2004	Championship	Wolves (Away)	L: 1-4	Read report...

From the Discussion

SU Sutekh 14 Nov 2017 · 4:38pm

https://kit.genesissports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/1024px-Reading_FC.svg_-300x300.png http://www.logotypes101.com/logos/591/08860046EADFE143F17C1DBA2DBB1701/wolves.png When : Saturday 18th November, 3pm Where : Madejski Stadium, Reading, RG2 0FL Capacity : 24,161 Well after the turnaround in form which has seen Reading go from under performing dross merchants to something good enough to challenge for promotion in two games comes the acid test. League leaders and a lot of people’s champions-elect - Wolverhampton Wanderers are in town and the game should prove how good Reading really are. Will the mighty hoops fade out…
HO Hound 14 Nov 2017 · 5:46pm

Obvs How we line up depends on how fit the injured players are Would go for this I think: Mannone Bacuna McShane Moore Gunter Joey Edwards swift Barrow Yann Aluko Possibly switching Edwards for Richards and playing Bacuna CM Hopefully the likes of Ilori, Kelly, McCleary and Bodvarsson are fit enough to decorate the bench
JO JoeyJoeJoeJnrShabadoo 15 Nov 2017 · 12:35am

thanks
HO Hound 15 Nov 2017 · 11:13am

looks like from Stam's presser that Ilori is fit, as are Aluko and Mannone. Bodvarsson sounds possibly good enough for the bench.
JS John Smith 15 Nov 2017 · 11:20am

looks like from Stam's presser that Ilori is fit, as are Aluko and Mannone. Bodvarsson sounds possibly good enough for the bench. Brilliant news. We're definitely gonna smash them
WI windermereROYAL 15 Nov 2017 · 4:26pm

Would happily take a draw in this one, I think they have 2 players that cost 31m combined, going to be a noisy away end. no history ect ect , your support is f*cking shit ect ect. Hope we can shut them up.
PA paultheroyal 15 Nov 2017 · 5:16pm

Dave Edwards will get an excellent reception from the Wolves fans. Should be a cracking atmosphere. There does appear to be large number of tickets being sold to Wolves fans in the Reading end. Particularly South West Corner. Could get interesting.
HO Hound 15 Nov 2017 · 5:48pm

Be pretty easy to locate any Wolves fans where they shouldn’t be by their ridiculous accent though

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