Three Games To Secure Championship Football

20 April 2018
By Hob Nob Anyone?

Reading hit the road this weekend hoping to take some of their home form with them on their travels. Since Paul Clement took over as Reading boss after the departure of Jaap Stam, the Royals have picked up 7 points from a possible 9 to ease relegation fears. Although Reading are still not yet safe from the drop, a victory at Sheffield Wednesday would almost certainly mean that the Royals will be playing Championship football again next season.

However, a Reading defeat combined with a Barnsley victory at Leeds United would make for very nervous times as the season draws to a close. After Saturday's trip to Hillsborough, Reading wrap up the season with a home game against Ipswich Town before ending the season at promotion chasing Cardiff City. With just three games left it is definitely all to play for as Reading, Bolton, Birmingham and Barnsley all look to drop each other into the final relegation place with Sunderland and Burton already looking doomed. Reading fans will be keeping their eyes on the scores at Birmingham who play at home against Sheffield United and Bolton who host already promoted Wolves. Reading could off course stay up without winning another game, but it would be great to secure some points and avoid the bottom three due to our own efforts.

Sheffield Wednesday themselves weren't far from the bottom three earlier this year, but four wins from their last six games has guaranteed them a mid-table finish and they will go into the game with nothing to play for. Having picked up form recently they are favourites for the win and also have the luxury of the return from injury of a number of first team players. Clement will have the same squad to pick from this week after last weekend's 2-2 home draw with Sunderland. Bacuna will still be missing from the team due to suspension after his red card at Fulham. On-loan Tommy Elphick, who looked so good on his arrival, could return before the end of the season as he has returned to training but this game will come too soon.

Reading's recent form against Sheffield Wednesday has been excellent despite our FA Cup defeat at Hillsborough earlier this season. Before that we were undefeated in six games against them including a 2-0 away win in our last league fixture at their place. Kermorgant and Popa scored the all important goals in that fixture roughly this time last year. Earlier this season we shared the points in a game with no goals at the Madejski Stadium.

Recent Meetings With Sheffield Wednesday

DATE	COMPETITION	OPPOSITION	SCORE	REPORT
26 January 2018	FA Cup	Sheff Wed (Away)	L: 1-3	Read report...
25 November 2017	Championship	Sheff Wed (HOME)	D: 0-0	Read report...
17 March 2017	Championship	Sheff Wed (Away)	W: 2-0	Read report...
10 December 2016	Championship	Sheff Wed (HOME)	W: 2-1	Read report...
23 January 2016	Championship	Sheff Wed (HOME)	D: 1-1	Read report...
19 August 2015	Championship	Sheff Wed (Away)	D: 1-1	Read report...
31 January 2015	Championship	Sheff Wed (HOME)	W: 2-0	Read report...
20 September 2014	Championship	Sheff Wed (Away)	L: 0-1	Read report...
08 February 2014	Championship	Sheff Wed (HOME)	L: 0-2	Read report...
02 November 2013	Championship	Sheff Wed (Away)	L: 2-5	Read report...

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