Leicester City v Reading FC: 25 March 2006 Match Preview

Leicester City

Form:

18 Mar 2006: Millwall 0-1 Leicester

11 Mar 2006: Luton 1-2 Leicester

04 Mar 2006: Leicester 3-2 Hull

25 Feb 2006: Ipswich 2-0 Leicester

18 Feb 2006: Leicester 1-1 Leeds

A truly awful winter, which saw Leicester win just once in 13 games in all competitions, saw the end of Craig Levein in charge at the Walkers Stadium. The Scot's departure has seen a marked improvement from the Foxes; new manager Rob Kelly has lost just two of his 10 games in charge.

Leicester have won their last three games, including an impressive victory at Luton, who are the only team to beat Reading at home this season. With no new injuries, Kelly will likely pick the same starting line-up that he has used in those games. That means in-form Iain Hume, and January transfer window signing Matty Fryatt, will lead the line, with 20 year old Chris O'Grady having to make do with the bench.

Reading

Form:

18 Mar 2006: Reading 1-1 Wolves

11 Mar 2006: Reading 0-0 Watford

04 Mar 2006: Burnley 0-3 Reading

25 Feb 2006: Reading 2-1 Preston

17 Feb 2006: Luton 3-2 Reading

The Royals might be 20 points clear of third place and 16 points clear of Sheffield United, but they travel to the Midlands out of form. Of course out of form this season means that last weekend was only the second time this season that Reading went two games in the league without a win.

Glenn Little is still unavailable so Steve Coppell will have to decide between continuing with John Oster, who some fans feel has failed to impress, and Stephen Hunt. Another option would be to bring Steve Sidwell back into the team. Sidwell had to make do with a place on the bench last weekend on his return from injury, as Coppell kept faith with Brynjar Gunnarsson.

Lineups From Last Game

Leicester (v Millwall): P Henderson, P Kisnorbo, P McCarthy, N Johansson, R Stearman, A Maybury, S Hughes, G Williams, J Gudjonsson, I Hume (A Welsh), M Fryatt (C O'Grady). Subs not used: P Gerrbrand, R Brevett, R Douglas.

Reading (v Wolves): M Hahnemann; G Murty, I Sonko, I Ingimarsson, N Shorey; J Oster (S Hunt), B Gunnarsson (S Sidwell), J Harper, B Convey; D Kitson, K Doyle. Subs not used: G Stack, C Makin, S Long.

How Reading Can Win Promotion

Reading win = promotion

Reading draw + Leeds fail to win + Watford fail to win = promotion

Leeds fail to win + Watford defeat = promotion regardless of Reading's result

YouTube History

28 December 2005: Reading 2-0 Leicester