When : Saturday 2nd January 2021, 3pm
Where : John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield, HD1 6PX
Capacity 24,121
First game of 2021 is in view and it’s a long trek to West Yorkshire to play a side that has won their last 5 home games so yet another horribly awkward game to face for the injury hit Biscuitmen.
Huddersfield’s form is generally outstanding at home but rather less than any good away which means they’re floating around the halfway mark of the league table. However if they can solve their away form conundrum while maintaining their home form they could become very threatening to the play off places.
Fraizier Campbell is the obvious threat from Huddersfield and he has formed a good partnership with Josh Koroma and Isaac Mbenza to bag 13 goals between them so far. Add to that defender Naby Sarr’s height (6 foot 5) and you can also see the dangers posed by the Terriers at set pieces if things are allowed to get out of hand.
Huddersfield, like Reading, have suffered a bit with injury problems and currently Joel Pereira (shoulder), Tommy Elphick (knee), Adama Diakhaby (foot), Richard Stearman (hamstring), Josh Koroma (hamstring), Danny Ward (hamstring), Christopher Schindler (knee) and Kieran Phillips (knee) are all receiving treatment. Meanwhile, though there’s been a little improvement, Reading still may not have Joao fit and certainly won’t have Puscas or Meite so goal threat is going to remain a serious problem. John Swift and Omar Richards should be fit enough to return to the starting line though so there is a small amount of respite for the club.
Referee
Jeremy Simpson
Previously
28 Nov 2020 > Reading 3-1 Bristol City
29 Feb 2020 > Reading 2-0 Barnsley
30 Nov 2019 > Wigan Athletic 1-3 Reading
22 Oct 2019 > Queens Park Rangers 2-2 Reading
23 Feb 2019 > Reading 1-1 Rotherham United
22 Sep 2018 > Reading 3-0 Hull City
21 Apr 2018 > Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 Reading
14 Oct 2017 > Leeds United 0-1 Reading
31 Jan 2017 > Birmingham City 0-1 Reading
17 Dec 2016 > Blackburn Rovers 2-3 Reading
09 Sep 2016 > Reading 2-1 Ipswich Town (managed to book 9 players)
16 Apr 2016 > Leeds United 3-2 Reading
09 Jan 2016 > Huddersfield Town 2-2 Reading (FA Cup 3)
20 Oct 2015 > Rotherham United 1-1 Reading
Historically
The playing record is better than you'd expect for an awkward long trek up north. Of the 23 league seasons shared (all since 1976) Reading have managed 9 wins to Huddersfield's 11. However Reading have lost 3 of the last 4 league trips to Huddersfield.
How to follow 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 iFollow subscription
- BBC Radio Berkshire (FM : 104.4, 104.1 or 95.4 depending where you are in the area)