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Wolves v Reading FC / Reading FC v Leeds United: Match Preview

A double header of match previews starts with Reading's trip to Molineux followed by their match against Leeds at Madejski Stadium on Tuesday night. Phil Owtram previews both games.

Ben Hoskins/Getty Images

Wolverhampton Wanderers FC v Reading FC
League Championship
Saturday 7th February, KO 3PM
Molineux Stadium
Referee: Keith Hill

Reading (16th)
Form (all comps): WDWLD
Reading v Sheffield Wednesday: 2-0
Millwall v Reading: 0-0
Cardiff v Reading (FA Cup): 1-2
Fulham v Reading: 2-1
Reading v Middlesbrough: 0-0

Manager: Steve Clarke


Reading returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Madejski Stadium last Saturday. A thoroughly professional performance meant Reading secured the 3 points thanks to first half goals from Pavel Pogrebnyak and a first for Nathaniel Chalobah in Reading shirt. The Royals now face a double header against Wolves and then Leeds on Tuesday night. Reading recorded draws at Madejski Stadium and Elland Road respectively earlier in the season and will be hoping to capitalise on some recent good form and record wins which will push them further away from the teams below them.

Wolverhampton Wanderers (7th)
Form (all comps): DDWLW
Bolton v Wolves: 2-2
Wolves v Charlton: 0-0
Wolves v Blackpool: 2-0
Wolves v Fulham (FA Cup): 3-3
Blackburn v Wolves: 0-1

Manager: Kenny Jackett

A 96th minute equaliser from former Reading player James Henry secured a point for Wolves against Bolton last Saturday. This result extended their unbeaten run in the league to eight matches and means they sit in 7th going into this one.

Last five meetings between Reading & Wolves
26 Dec 2005 Wolves v Reading W 0-2 League Championship
18 Mar 2006 Reading v Wolves D 1-1 League Championship
30 Sep 2008 Wolves v Reading W 0-3 League Championship
27 Jan 2009 Reading v Wolves W 1-0 League Championship
28 Sep 2014 Reading v Wolves D 3-3 League Championship


Reading & Wolves Head to Head
This will be the 38th meeting between these two sides and Wolves just edge the head to head record with 16 wins to Reading’s 15 with 6 draws. Reading are unbeaten in their last 5 matches with Wolves and have won their previous 2 games at Molineux with 3-0 and 2-0 wins in September 2008 and on Boxing Day 2005 respectively. When the two teams met at Madejski Stadium in September a pulsating match ended 3 goals a piece with Michael Hector, Jake Taylor and Glenn Murray getting the goals for the Royals.


Team News
Reading: Deadline day signing Yakubu could be included in the matchday squad but Chris Gunter is still out with an ankle injury. Anton Ferdinand is still struggling for fitness and will not be involved but Hope Akpan played 90 minutes for the U-21s in midweek as he makes his comeback from a dislocated shoulder. Danny Guthrie took part in training on Thursday and could make the squad.

Wolverhampton Wanderers: Wolves keeper Karl Ikeme broke his foot in a collision with James Henry in training this week and will be out for up to 8 weeks with Tomasz Kuszczak likely to deputise. Tommy Rowe also has a broken foot and will miss out while Scott Golbourne could return.

Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1- 1 Reading

Reading FC v Leeds United FC
League Championship
Tuesday 10th February, KO 8PM
Madejski Stadium
Referee: Graham Scott

Leeds United (19th)
Form (all comps): WWDDL
Huddersfield v Leeds: 1-2
Leeds v Bournemouth: 1-0
Leeds v Birmingham: 1-1
Bolton v Leeds: 1-1
Sunderland v Leeds: 1-0

Manager: Neil Redfearn

Former Royal loanee Billy Sharp scored a 90th minute header to secure the 3 points against their local rivals Huddersfield. The result backed up the win Leeds recorded against Championship highfliers Bournemouth in their previous game. Leeds could overtake their Tuesday opponents before the two teams meet if they beat Brentford and Reading fail to beat Wolves on Saturday. Both teams are more concerned with the teams below them and will be looking for a win that pushes them further away from trouble.

Last five meetings between Reading & Leeds
01 Oct 2014 Leeds United v Reading D 0-0 League Championship
11 Mar 2014 Leeds United v Reading W 2-4 League Championship
18 Sep 2013 Reading v Leeds United W 1-0 League Championship
06 Apr 2012 Reading v Leeds United W 2-0 League Championship
17 Dec 2011 Leeds United v Reading W 0-1 League Championship

Reading & Leeds Head to Head
This will be the 20th meeting between these two sides and both teams have won 6 of their previous 19 meetings with 7 ending in a draw. Reading have not lost any of their last 9 matches against Leeds and have won two and drawn two of their previous 4 home games against Leeds. When they met at Elland Road in October neither side could find a breakthrough as the game finished 0-0. Of 8 home games against Leeds Reading have lost just twice, won three times and drawn a further three times.

Team News
Leeds: New loan signing Edgar Cani will be available for manager Neil Redfearn after signing on loan from Catania until the end of the season. Lewis Cook is expected to recover from a knee injury that forced him off in the closing stages of his sides win over Huddersfield. Granddi Ngoyi has a thigh problem so is unlikely to feature while Giuseppe Bellusci is suspended.

Prediction: Reading 2-1 Leeds