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Reading FC
Form (all comps): LDWWW
Reading will have Paul McShane and Hal Robson-Kanu back from injury and although not fit to start their FA Cup top scorer Matej Vydra is expected to make the bench after sufficiently recovering from a hamstring problem. The Royals will be without cup-tied pair George Evans and Yann Kermorgant.
Reading last met Crystal Palace in the FA Cup when the two teams were paired in the first round of the 1952/53 competition. Reading secured a draw at Selhurst Park and won the replay 3-1 back at Elm Park. Reading’s last five home meetings with The Eagles have yielded three wins, a draw and a defeat but The Royals are unbeaten at home in 2016 and haven’t lost a home tie in the FA Cup since 2012. Come on URZ!
Crystal Palace FC
Form (all comps): LDLWL
Jason Puncheon returns for Crystal Palace after six games out with a hamstring injury, while goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is also fit again and is expected to replace Alex McCarthy. However, Connor Wickham has been ruled out of the next two games and Marouane Chamakh has suffered a knee injury.
Palace Manager Alan Pardew makes a return to the club where he spent four seasons as manager between 1999-2003 before leaving to manage West Ham. The circumstances of his departure were slightly controversial at the time - West Ham asked for permission to appoint Pardew as their manager and Reading refused leading to Pardew’s resignation before a compromise agreement was reached between the two clubs.
When Pardew was appointed Crystal Palace manager in January 2015 his first game in charge was a 4-0 win over Dover Athletic in the third round of the FA Cup and he has spoken of the importance of this tie to Crystal Palace:
"The FA Cup means an awful lot to this football club - to the fans, the players and the owners. We want to put on a really good performance and enjoy the occasion, which is really important, and we'll see what the outcome is."
Crystal Palace have never won the FA Cup but they reached the 1990 FA Cup Final where they took Manchester United to a replay, losing it 1-0.
Reading (v Huddersfield): Ali Al Habsi, A. Taylor, C. Gunter (J. Barrett 84), M. Hector, J. Cooper, G. McCleary, D. Williams, G. Evans (O. John 59), Y. Kermorgant, D. Rakels (S. Cox 70), Lucas Piazon.
Crystal Palace (v Liverpool): A. McCarthy, D. Delaney, S. Dann, J. Ward, P. Souare, Y. Cabaye (J. Mutch 70), M. Jedinak, J. Ledley (B. Sako 82), Y. Bolasie, W. Zaha, E. Adebayor (D. Gayle 82).
What The Opposition Think
We had an absolutely fantastic start to the season, everything was smelling of roses, we were in and around the top four, seeing out the year with an excellent points tally. Since then, we have not see a win in the Premier League and we really do not know what has hit us.
Last Five Meetings
21 Apr 2012: Reading 2-2 Crystal Palace (League Championship)
29 Oct 2011: Crystal Palace 0-0 Reading (League Championship)
26 Feb 2011: Crystal Palace 3-3 Reading (League Championship)
11 Sep 2010: Reading 3-0 Crystal Palace (League Championship)
17 Feb 2010: Crystal Palace 1-3 Reading (League Championship)
Head To Head
Reading v Crystal Palace: W:30 D:25 L:25
YouTube History
Prediction
Reading FC 2-1 Crystal Palace FC