Reading FC
Form (all comps): LWLLL
Left-back Andrew Taylor could start for Reading after he returned from a groin injury as a substitute at Wolves on Boxing Day. Matej Vydra could be dropped as the on-loan Watford forward has scored just twice in 15 games.
Reading fans were denied a Christmas win as the Royals were defeated by a Wolves side that scored with their only shot on target. It was not for want of trying that Reading suffered their ninth defeat of the season. Of the 24 shots that the away side had on target, none managed to find the back of the Wolves net meaning Brian McDermott suffered his first defeat of his second spell in charge. Reading move onto a home game against 11th placed Brentford who are three points better off than their opponents. Brentford have only two defeats in their last thirteen Championship games but have won just three times on the road this season.
Brentford FC
Form (all comps): DWLDW
Striker Marco Djuricin is back in training after two months out with an ankle problem but is not fit enough to be involved. Striker Scott Hogan and Andreas Bjelland (both knee) are the Bees' other absentees.
Brentford come into this one on the back of a 0-0 home draw against recent table toppers Brighton on Boxing Day. Draws and defeats have been the theme for The Bees in recent matches, drawing three and losing one of their last four matches. In fact, Brentford’s last win on the road was a 3-0 victory at The Valley against Charlton in October. Dean Smith was appointed Brentford’s third manager of the season at the end of November after taking over from Lee Carsley who was in temporary charge following the sacking of Marinus Dijkhuizen in September. The new boss has overseen five matches, winning two, drawing two and losing one.
Reading (v Wolverhampton Wanderers): J. Bond, P. McShane , C. Gunter, M. Hector, S. Quinn (Orlando Sa 76), H. Robson-Kanu, G. McCleary (A. Taylor 62), D. Williams, O. Norwood, N. Blackman, M. Vydra (O. John 62).
Brentford (v Brighton): D. Button, H. Dean, J. Bidwell, J. Tarkowski, N. Yennaris, T. Diagouraga, A. Judge, J. Swift, R. Woods (S. Saunders 85), Sergi Canos (A. McCormack 76), L. Vibe (P. Hofmann 75).
Last Five Meetings
29 Aug 2015: Brentford 1-3 Reading (League Championship)
25 Apr 2015: Reading 0-2 Brentford (League Championship)
04 Oct 2014: Brentford 3-1 Reading: (League Championship)
20 Apr 2002: Brentford 1-1 Reading (League Division 2)
27 Oct 2001: Reading 1-2 Brentford (League Division 2)
Head To Head
Reading v Brentford: W:35 D:23 L:29
YouTube History
Prediction
Reading FC 2-1 Brentford FC