Reading Vs Bolton Wanderers: Match Preview

Reading return to their Championship campaign after a well-deserved win over Birmingham City in the Carabao Cup. The Royals looked confident in their play and good times are slowly returning to the Mad Stad.

However, in the league the results haven’t been as kind to Paul Clement’s side who sit rock bottom of the table. Still it’s only game week three so don’t worry Reading fans! Bolton come to town looking to add to their good form early into the season.

Reading

Form: LLW (all competitions)

Paul Clement has admitted he is struggling with fitness of his wingers with Modou Barrow, Yakou Meite, Sone Aluko, Adrian Popa, Callum Harriott and Garath McCleary all having injury concerns. However, Barrow and Meite only have small knocks and are likely to play.

Meite will look to add to his impressive performance in the cup after a loan spell away from the club last season. Liam Moore could regain his place back in the team after captaining the side midweek after a summer of speculation on his future. The 2017/2018 player of the season has expressed his desire to stay and hopefully returns to steady the back line.

Top goalscorers: Bodvarsson, Meite, Swift (all one)

Bolton Wanderers

Form: WDL (all competitions)

Bolton are in seventh place after a win over West Brom was followed by a draw with Bristol City. They will look to add to their recent form but have suffered a loss up front with Adam Le Fondre leaving for Sydney this week. So that's one former Royal who won't haunt us with a goal as so often happens!

Wanderers will put out a rotated side after making 10 changes in their cup defeat to Leeds. Josh Magennis is the main man to watch up front for Bolton who currently leads their top goalscorer charts with two.

Top goalscorer: Magennis (2)

Quick-fire facts

• Bolton have yet to win against Reading with Phil Parkinson in charge. The former Reading boss has faced them in five matches with four of them being draws.
• Reading have an unbeaten streak against Bolton in the league stretching back to 2008 (W3 D5)

Prediction

Reading have home advantage and a recent win at home going into this game. This after so many poor performances will be a rallying cry for the team which the fans can get behind. Bolton do possess a threat to snatch a late goal which Reading are prone to conceding. However, I can see the Royals winning this game if we play the same way as Tuesday night.

Reading 2-1 Bolton