Key Battles: Reading FC v Fulham

Liam Moore vs Chris Martin

The 28 year old who made the surprise loan move from Derby on deadline day is Fulham's main threat up front. Whilst at Derby, Martin scored 63 goals in 163 appearances, showing just how lethal he is when given the right service.

Martin may lack pace, but he makes up for it with technique, strength, fantastic heading ability and being so clinical in front of goal. This season Martin has hit the back of the net seven times in 22 appearances, with two of those coming in that awful afternoon down at Craven Cottage.

The best person to deal with this would be Liam Moore, the centre back who missed the game down in South West London should hopefully provide the solidarity in defence that was clearly lacking in the last meeting between the two sides.

Moore has delivered when it matters, the performances against Barnsley, Brighton in the EFL cup and Norwich spring to mind. He will have to be at that level on Friday night if he is stop a man who can punish any defence, if given the right service.

Here's Martin demonstrating what he is capable of in Fulham's 5-0 win over Reading at the start of December.

Danny Williams vs Stefan Johansen

Johansen signed from Scottish Premiership champions Celtic in the summer and the 25 year old has made a fantastic impact since joining, going on to become one of the first players on manager Slavisa Jokanovic's team sheet.

So far this season the Norwegian has scored five goals and has five assists to his name, with one of those goals coming in the win against Reading at the start of the month.

Looking to keep Johansen quiet will be Danny Williams, the American recently returned from suspension against Norwich having been sent off against Friday night's opponents.

Known for his physical approach and the ability to drive the ball out of midfield, Williams will be the best person to stop Johansen from getting on the ball and dictating the play in his side's favour.

During Fulham's 2-0 win at Ipswich the Whites kept 61% possession and had an 80% successful pass completion. This is something that Reading cannot afford to let Fulham do, so it will be up to Williams to break the play up when they haven't got the ball.

Here's a video of Johansen showcasing his talent during his time at Celtic.

Garath McCleary vs Scott Malone

Bought from Cardiff in the summer, the 25 year old has nailed himself down as the Whites first choice left back.

Like Chris Gunter for Reading, Malone loves to get forward and join the attacks in order to support Floyd Ayite down the left hand side, something that has seen him earn two goals and two assists to his name.

However the full back has only kept five clean sheets in his 16 Championship appearances this season in a side that scores a lot but also concede a lot.

Looking to take advantage of this will be Garath McCleary who has been in sensational form this season with eight goals and six assists for the Royals.

The Jamaican spared striker Yann Kermorgant from any embarrassment by scoring the all important rebound after the Frenchman's penalty hit the crossbar in the 3-1 win over Norwich last time out.

McCleary will have to perform when it counts if Reading are to end 2016 on a high, this will mean that he will need to cut inside, run at his opponent, but also put in crosses that are going to cause the Fulham defence. Something that I thought he didn't do enough against Norwich especially in the first half.

If he can do this then this could provide Reading with the advantage as they look to get their own back on their opponents.