Reading FC v Bolton Wanderers FC: Match Preview

Reading FC

Form (all comps): LDDLD

Michael Hector and Garath McCleary both returned from international duty with knocks and will be assessed ahead of the games. Matej Vydra has not trained over the international break following an injection in his knee after the Cardiff game so will be unlikely to start against Bolton. However, Paul McShane is fit and trained with the squad this week making him available for selection ahead of Saturday’s game.

After the furor surrounding Steve Clarke’s talks with Fulham over their vacant managers position, attention now turns back to the pitch and Reading’s search for a first win in six matches. Reading succumbed to a fifth winless game when they visited the Welsh capital prior to the international break. Reading now entertain second from bottom Bolton, a side winless in their last ten games if that is any comfort to restless Reading fans? No, I thought not.

Bolton Wanderers FC

Form (all comps): DLDDL

Stephen Dobbie (shin) is a major doubt after limping off against Bristol City, while Gary Madine (rib) will be assessed having picked up an injury in the same game. Mark Davies and Tom Walker should both be fit but Dean Moxey remains absent as he continues to battle an ongoing toe problem. Elsewhere, Zach Clough (shoulder) and Wellington Silva (hamstring) remain long-term absentees.

Bolton have not won in each of their eight games away from home this season, losing on six occasions. Goals are clearly an issue for Neil Lennon’s men who have scored just once in their last five games and with current Eddie Davies looking to sell the club these are tough times for the Trotters.

Lineups From Last Game

Reading(v Cardiff): Al-Habsi, C. Gunter, A. Taylor, M. Hector, A. Ferdinand, O. Norwood, Fernandez (D. Williams 64), M. Vydra (P. Hurtado 76), O. Sa, O. John (R. Liburd 64), N. Blackman.

Bolton (v Bristol City): B. Amos, D. Wheater, Casado (F. Twardzik 66), P. Gouano, M. Davies, J Spearing, L. Feeney, D Pratley, J. Vela, Shola Ameobi, S. Dobbie (G. Madine 46 (M. Clayton 90+3)).

What The Opposition Think

"It's been awful, it really has. By the time Saturday's fixture rolls around it will have been over two months, 70 days, since our last and only victory this season. We sit second bottom, three points and a four goal swing from safety. The dreaded injury curse has returned, as we've pretty much had a player leave the pitch due to injury in about seven of our last eight games. We can't score, we can no longer defend and we can't bring players in to rectify that. It's troublesome times at the Macron."

Last Five Meetings

03 Mar 2015: Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Reading (League Championship)

06 Dec 2014: Reading 0-0 Bolton Wanderers (League Championship)

18 Jan 2014: Reading 7-1 Bolton Wanderers (League Championship)

10 Aug 2013: Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Reading (League Championship)

02 Feb 2008: Reading 0-2 Bolton Wanderers (Premier League)

Head To Head

Reading v Bolton: W:11 D:7 L:13

YouTube History

Prediction

Reading 2-0 Bolton