Reading v Middlesbrough Preview

Two of the Championship’s in form side will go head to head this weekend as Middlesbrough take on Reading in today’s 3 o’clock kick-off. Boro have won their last five league games and go into the match placed second in the division a point behind leaders Brighton.  After winning four of their last five Steve Clarke’s Reading side are in a similar good run of form which has propelled them to third in the table, even so they remain five points behind Boro above them and will be hoping to close the gap before next week’s international break.

Team News

Boro manager Aitor Karanka doesn’t have any fresh injury problems to worry about following his side’s victory over Leeds last weekend. After a 3-0 victory most managers would opt to name an unchanged side, however Karanka has shown in the past that he is prepared to make changes even after a win.

Reading will be without midfielder Stephen Quinn and striker Matej Vydra who are both missing with knee injuries. Centre back Anton Ferdinand remains absent with a thigh injury, however there is better news for striker Orlando Sa who is available after a 3 match ban following his red card against Derby last month.  

Facts And Stats

Boro haven’t won at the Madejski Stadium since 2009 when Sean St Ledger and former Royal Leroy Lita scored for Boro in a 2-0 victory.

Reading striker Nick Blackman has scored in his last 3 games in all competitions.

Both Aitor Karanka and Steve Clarke were assistants to Jose Mourinho before becoming managers.

Key Players

Boro midfielder Adam Clayton

Boro’s Key

Adam Clayton

After signing from Huddersfield last summer Clayton played a key role in Boro’s strong campaign last term, forming a reliable partnership with Grant Leadbitter in the middle of the park. This season the midfield enforcer has picked up where he left off, playing admirably in front of the back four. Clayton received the ‘Man Of The Match’ award against Leeds last weekend following his robust tackles and excellent disciple, he will have to be on his game again to help Boro’s defense cope with a potent Reading attack which have scored 4 in their last 2 league games.

One To Watch

Nick Blackman

Reading forward Nick Blackman

Nick Blackman is one of the hottest strikers in the division right now and is the second highest scorer in the division with 6 league goals; only Charlie Austin on 7 has more. It hasn’t always been easy for the 25 year old who joined from Sheffield United in 2013 without making an immediate impact. However this season something has evidently clicked. With the likes of Lucas Piazon, Garath McCleary and Hal Robson-Kanu for company, Blackman has pace and power around him to supplement his own in what appears a vigorous frontline.         

Form

Reading

Burnley 1-2 W

Everton 1-2 L (Capital One Cup)

Bristol City 0-2 W

Derby 0-1 L

Ipswich 5-1 W

Middlesbrough

Leeds 3-0 W

Wolves 3-0 W (Capital One Cup)

Nottingham Forest 1-2 W

Brentford 3-1 W

MK Dons 2-0 W

Prediction

Reading 1 Middlesbrough 1

A year ago this fixture finished goalless, as both sides lacked firepower upfront. This season it’s a different story. Boro are the top scorers in the division with seventeen goals while Reading have found the net on fourteen occasions after 9 games. Aitor Karanka has, at times, shown that he is a cautious manager who likes to put his defense first, especially away from home. However, this season his side have shown plenty of adventure on the road at Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday. For this reason I think there will be goals, however it is still tight to call so I’m going for a draw.