Reading FC v Burnley Preview: Team News, Form & A Blast From The Past

Reading

Form (all comps): DLWDW

Reading striker Matej Vydra's hamstring injury makes him a doubt and the same applies to midfielder Danny Williams. Latvia forward Deniss Rakels could start in place of Vydra. Aaron Tshibola is out, having had hamstring surgery.

Reading’s inconsistency continued last weekend as they drew 0-0 with Wolves at Madejski Stadium as neither side could find the cutting edge to take the three points. The Royals return to action again at home as they face Burnley on Saturday.

The Clarets sit in third position coming into this one and only two points off top spot. Reading will take motivation from the fact that they have been victorious in six of their last eight meetings with Burnley and won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Turf Moor in September.

Burnley

Form (all comps): WDLWW

Burnley are again without midfielder Dean Marney. His calf problem is a new worry on his return from knee surgery.

New signing James Tarkowski is ready to take his place in the team but Michael Keane and Ben Mee have been solid in the center of defence this season.

Burnley come into this one unbeaten away from home against sides outside of the top 3 since August. Sean Dyche’s men have picked up 22 points away from home this season which is almost as many as Reading have managed at home (24). Burnley also come into the game in good form with four wins from their last five league matches and unbeaten in their last eight league matches.

Reading (v Wolves): Ali Al Habsi, P. McShane, C. Gunter, J. Cooper, H. Robson-Kanu, G. McCleary (O. John 59), D. Williams, O. Norwood, J. Obita, Y. Kermorgant, M. Vydra (D. Rakels 79)

Burnley (v Hull): T. Heaton, S. Ward, M. Lowton, B. Mee, M. Keane, J. Barton, D. Jones, S. Arfield, S. Vokes, G. Boyd, A. Gray (R. Hennings 90+2)

What The Opposition Think

We started slowly but since we got hammered 3-0 at Hull on Boxing Day we've shifted up a gear or two and we have excellent momentum. Some of the away performances - thrashings of MK Dons and Brentford - have been sublime and we're looking tight at the back and incisive up front.

Dyche switched the defence around (to the back line some of us have wanted since the start of the season, ahem) and we've been unbeaten since. And when you have a striker like Andre Gray, you're always going to get goals. We're serious contenders.

Last Five Meetings

26 Sep 2015: Burnley 1-2 Reading (Championship)

03 May 2014: Reading 2-2 Burnley (Championship)

05 Oct 2013: Burnley 2-1 Reading (Championship)

17 Feb 2012: Reading 1-0 Burnley (Championship)

15 Oct 2011: Burnley 0-1 Reading (Championship)

Head To Head

Reading v Burnley: W:20 D:11 L:11

YouTube History

Prediction

Reading 1-1 Burnley