News and Views
Peterborough Away - A Defeat Means Relegation
16 February 2022
By Hob Nob Anyone?
If there was ever a "six pointer" it's tonight's Championship visit to Peterborough United. Reading must avoid a ninth consecutive defeat in all competitions to keep hopes of avoiding relegation alive. A defeat tonight would see Reading drop into the bottom three, behind Peterborough who would move a point clear of the Royals with a game in hand.
Although there is plenty of the season remaining, it is no exageration to say that if Reading lose tonight they will be likely relegated at the end of this season. Given our current form, and the chaos surrounding the club, a defeat tonight will feel like we have finally thrown in the towel on Championship football. Unfortunately it is difficult to see a Reading win coming and Peterborough are firm favourites for victory in the match that is being screened live on Sky Sports this evening.
Reading were entertaining on Saturday in front of over 22,000 fans at the Madejski Stadium, despite eventually being reduced to 10 men and losing 2-3 to Coventry City. The defeat was enough to cause a handful of fans to spill on the pitch at full time. Since then rumours have continued to circulate that Paunovic is set to be sacked, but he remains in charge for tonight's game knowing that a win is essential to prevent a large escalation of what, so far, has been very small scale protests.
Hoilett's red card was a set-back on Saturday but there was at least one positive with the return of a strong and fast looking Yakou Meite. Hopefully Meite is ready for a bigger impact tonight along with Joao up front.
Earlier this season Reading were 3-1 home winners against Peterborough. John Swift scored Reading's first and Dele-Bashiru scored twice as Reading moved up to 15th in the table. Back then Peterborough were 23rd in the table after seven games and they have spent most of the season in the bottom three. Reading are obviously bottom of the form table, but Peterborough are the second worst team in the form table. It should be an interesting night for the two teams that are, on current form, the worst two teams in the Championship.
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