Reading FC v Huddersfield Town (FA Cup Third Round Replay): Match Preview

Reading

Form (all comps): LDDWL

Reading could be without four players for the FA Cup third-round replay against Huddersfield. Midfielder Aaron Tshibola (hamstring) and defenders Jordan Obita (knee), Paul McShane (calf) and Michael Hector (unknown) are all doubts.

What are the odds of this one ending 2-2? These teams are getting to know each other pretty well having met twice this season already with both games ending two a piece. This on top of the three matches they played against each other last season, due to the FA Cup fixture, means that when the teams play again in the league in March it will be their seventh meeting in two seasons!

Reading warmed up for this replay with a highly disappointing defeat to MK Dons in a game where either keeper would have deserved the man of the match award. In the end the Dons' winning goal meant it went to home keeper David Martin and he was crucial in keeping out a hatful of goalscoring chances for The Royals before Joe Walsh bagged a 78th minute winner for the hosts. Reading must now look at how they defeat a Huddersfield side they have defeated just once in six attempts.

Huddersfield Town

Form (all comps): DWDWD

Huddersfield midfielder Dean Whitehead could return to the squad, having been sidelined since early December. Whitehead is recovering from a knee injury, while on-loan Aston Villa goalkeeper Jed Steer is unable to play.

Huddersfield attempted 11 shots on target in the original match of this tie - only Arsenal (13 v Sunderland) managed more in the FA Cup third round. Huddersfield will be hoping for more of the same when they visit Madejski Stadium for the replay. The Terriers warmed up for their trip to Berkshire with a 1-1 draw against Fulham.

Reading (v MK Dons): Ali Al Habsi, A. Ferdinand, A. Taylor, C. Gunter, J. Cooper, H. Robson-Kanu (S. Cox 82), G. McCleary, D. Williams, O. Norwood, M. Vydra, Lucas Piazon (O. John 64).

Huddersfield (v Fulham): J. Steer, M. Hudson, M. Cranie, J. Husband, T. Smith, J. Hogg, J. Paterson, N. Wells (F. Bojaj 90+3), E. Huws, H. Bunn (J. Lynch 89), J. Lolley (D. Holmes 79).

Last Five Meetings

09 Jan 2016: Huddersfield Town 2-2 Reading (FA Cup)

03 Nov 2015: Reading 2-2 Huddersfield Town (Championship)

24 Feb 2015: Huddersfield Town 3-0 Reading (Championship)

03 Jan 2015: Huddersfield Town 0-1 Reading (FA Cup)

19 Aug 2014: Reading 1-2 Huddersfield Town (Championship)

Head To Head

Reading v Huddersfield: W:22 D:11 L:13

YouTube History

Prediction

Reading 2-1 Huddersfield