Reading FC v Brighton & Hove Albion: Match Preview

Reading FC

Form (all comps): LDWWW

Defender Anton Ferdinand returns to the squad after six weeks out but it remains to be seen if he can displace Michael Hector or Paul McShane at the heart of Reading’s defence. Hal Robson-Kanu (ankle) and Stephen Quinn (knee) are both long-term injury absentees.

Reading are looking to bounce back from a defeat to Fulham which didn’t look on the cards in the first 50 minutes. The Royals took a two goal lead thanks to strikes from Lucas Piazon and Orlando Sa but six mad minutes saw Fulham turn the game on its head before they sealed the win when Moussa Dembélé got his second and Fulham’s fourth to give the Cottagers their first win in five matches. Steve Clarke has been speaking ahead of the game with Brighton about how the match will be important to see how his team responds to setbacks. With no easy games in the Championship, least of all against the league leaders, Steve Clarke’s men will have to find another level in order to bounce back. If they are to prove their promotion credentials beating Brighton is a good place to start.

Brighton FC

Form (all comps): DWWDD

Brighton left-back Gaeten Bong will (knee) miss the trip to Berkshire while midfielder Dale Stephens faces a late fitness test. Winger Kazenga LuaLua (groin) and defender Gordon Greer (knee) are back in training and could feature while Beram Kayal will not as he begins a one match ban.

Chris Hughton has highlighted Reading’s firepower upfront and praised manager Steve Clarke for the job he is doing at Reading. "He’s moulded a very good squad and his remit was to add a bit of stability to the club. He’s done an excellent job there." Brighton have won just once in seven trips to the Madejski Stadium over recent years but Hughton has explained his side will use this as extra motivation to win the game. Brighton are undefeated this season and with a 0-0 draw at home to Preston last weekend unlikely to dampen their spirits, it will take a good performance from the home side to take this record away from the Seagulls.

Lineups From Last Game

Reading (v Fulham): Ali Al-Habsi, P. McShane, C. Gunter, M. Hector, D. Williams (Alex 86), O. Norwood (A. Tshibola 70), J. Obita, Orlando Sá, N. Blackman, M. Vydra, Lucas Piazon (O. John 70).

Brighton (v Preston): D. Stockdale, U. Hünemeier, L. Rosenior (S. March 66), G. Bong, Bruno Saltor, L. Dunk, R. Ince, A. Crofts, J. Murphy, (D. Holla 79), S. Baldock, T. Hemed (B. Zamora 63)

What The Opposition Think

If you'd have told me at the start of the season we'd be going in to our game still unbeaten and top of the table I'd have laughed you out of town. Everything has gone our way.

Last Five Meetings

10 Mar 2015: Reading 2-1 Brighton (League Championship)

26 Dec 2014: Brighton 2-2 Reading (League Championship)

08 Mar 2014: Brighton 1-1 Reading (League Championship)

04 Jan 2014: Brighton 1-0 Reading (FA Cup)

15 Sep 2013: Reading 0-0 Brighton (League Championship)

Head To Head

Reading v Brighton: W:35 D:31 L:29

YouTube History

Prediction

Reading 2-1 Brighton