When : Tuesday 9 April, 7.45pm
Where : Memorial Stadium, Filton Avenue, Horfield, BS7 0AQ
Capacity : 12,011
Bristol Rovers away in midweek means a chance for 3 points, as they begin with the letter B, and 3 points which will probably secure safety and mean Reading should be able relax for the rest of the season, if they wanted to.
Bristol Rovers form though increases the likelihood that AFC Charity might put in an appearance on the night as the Pirates' form is atrocious with 0 wins and only 2 0-0 draws in their last 6 games. Their form is also so poor that they have not scored a goal since former Reading striker Chris Martin found the net in the 30th minute of their 1-0 win at Orient 7 games ago (so that's 600 minutes with no goals).
Reading's midweek away league game record stands at 5 wins from 57 games in the last 10 years though which might be a leveller on the night but the fact that all those wins have been at teams beginning with B (or with an official nickname beginning with B) maintains the hope for 3 points.
While Rovers' form has slumped over the last 6 games they are a capable outfit, being 15th on 51 points, so pretty much safe from relegation, and have recorded wins over the likes of Orient, Oxford and Portsmouth so do have talent in their ranks.
Former Royal Chris Martin and former right Royal pain in the arse Scott Sinclair are the highest profile names in their squad and Chris Martin is repaying their trust in him well with 15 goals so far this season. Midfielders Anthony Evans and Luke Thomas might be the most threatening options that need to be stifled however with 11 goals between them and numerous assists.
Believe that Reading are still injury free but would expect Selles to tweak/change something just for the hell of it so I'll go for Savage returning to the starting XI and Holmes appearing on the bench.
Referee
Will Finnie
Previous
09 Jan 24 > Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 Reading (Associate Members Cup)
26 Aug 23 > Exeter City 2-1 Reading
Historically
40 previous seasons with the Gas so this will be the 41st visit to play in the league against the blue half of Bristol. Of those 40 previous visits Reading have had 8 victories to Rovers 20 so a bit of a challenge all round. The last visit there was a 2-2 draw back on Boxing Day in 2000, while the other 2 league visits to the Memorial Ground have produced a win apiece in 1998 and 1999.
How to follow the game
- Get a ticket and travel to the game
- Listen to Radio 5 Live and/or a myriad of other radio stations for score flashes
- Ring/text a mate for updates
- Use an RoyalTV subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)
