Ipswich Town vs Reading FC: Match Preview

As Christmas and the 500^th game at the Mad Stad approaches, the Royals will hope to end 2017 on a similar high to how they started the year with a test against Ipswich. The Tractor Boys sit ninth in the league, five positions above Reading after having a good set of results early in the season.

Can Reading put the collapse against Cardiff behind them or will they be set for another emotional rollercoaster of a match?

Reading

Form (all competitions): DDWWD

Jaap Stam could name an unchanged line-up, having started with the same XI for a fourth consecutive match on Monday. This is due to the injury list not getting any smaller as the likes of Callum Harriott, Garath McCleary and George Evans all have unconfirmed return dates.

Yann Kermorgant has yet to score since his return to the side and will be hoping to regain his remarkable scoring form. However, Modou Borrow has overtaken Liam Kelly as the club’s goal scorer with two against Sunderland and a thunderbolt against Cardiff!

Top Goal Scorer: Modou Barrow (6)

Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Ipswich Town

Form (all competitions): DLWWL

Striker David McGoldrick is set to return to the side after missing the past four games with a groin injury while Joe Garner is set to lead the line having not started the previous three games.

Unlike Stam, Mick McCarthy has a near fully fit squad to choose from, but his team’s form has been rocky as of late with losses to both Middlesbrough and Aston Villa denting their early season rise up the table.

Top Goal Scorer: Martyn Waghorn (10)

Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images

What do the stats say?

• The Royals have won nine of their last 12 league matches against Ipswich (one draw, two losses).
• Reading average the highest possession in the Championship this season (59%).
• Ipswich have conceded exactly two goals in five of their last six Championship games, keeping a clean sheet in the other (a 1-0 win at Derby County).

How can I follow the game?

Audio coverage is on BBC Radio Berkshire at 104.4, but not available online. Coverage is also available on the EFL iFollow service but will not be video streaming the game. Full match highlights will be available on the app after the game

Reading Football Club will post highlights of the game on their respected social media pages and YouTube channel.

And don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for all The Tilehurst End’s post-match content including player ratings, Stam’s quotes and Matt Cooper’s Five Things.

My prediction: Ipswich 1-2 Reading