Written by billythekid
The Cherries advanced to the 5th Round of the FA Cup last night with a 2-1 victory over League 2 side Crawley Town and face Burnley away. The Cherries goals came from Jack Wilshere and Josh King. It’s back to Championship action on Friday night at 8 pm away against Reading which is being shown live on Sky TV.
Since we last played Reading at Dean Court and beat them in that second-half comeback, their fourth Championship defeat in a row – they broke their losing sequence with a 1-1 draw away at Millwall. At home results, Reading won their next two home games beating Bristol City 3-1 and Nottingham Forest 2-0. Then they lost two games both by 1-2 against Birmingham City and Norwich City. Then they won their next two games, beating Luton Town 2-1 and in their last home game Coventry City 3-1. Away from home since our earlier game at Dean Court, Reading have beaten QPR 0-1 and Huddersfield Town 1-2. They have drawn with (as mentioned above) Millwall, also Sheffield Wednesday 1-1, Swansea City 0-0 and their most recent game against Preston N E 0-0, Reading missed a late penalty. Lost one game against Brentford 3-1.
After the game back in November and 22 games played, Reading were 6th in the table with 22 points. AFCB were 2ndwith 23 points. Going into Friday’s game Reading after 25 games are 5th with 44 points. AFCB are 6th with 43 points.
In our previous two Championship seasons 2013-14 and 2014-15 when we played Reading, our team did the double over them. In 2013-14 at their ground AFCB won 1-2. Two first-half goals in a four-minute spell not far from half-time gave the Cherries a 0-2 lead going in at half-time. The first on 37 minutes was scored by Lewis Grabban and in the 41st minute, Matt Ritchie added the second. Le Fondre scored the consolation goal for Reading in the 90th minute of injury time. Previous to this Reading had been unbeaten at home that season.
The 2014-15 season game at the Madejski Stadium was in April with four games to go, a 22nd minute Callum Wilson goal was the only goal of the game, but enough for the Cherries to take 3 points and go top of the table on 83 points with three games to go. Norwich were second on 82 points and Watford third also on 82 points, the rest, as they say, is history.
Games against Reading in the league away from home, AFCB have W 14, D 8. L 30.
In all competitions, AFCB have W 45, D 24, L 42.
Reading v AFCB
AFCB Win
Draw
Reading Win
Reading Team News
They have had a number of players out with injuries and likely to miss our game. George Puscas, Liam Moore and Felipe Araruna. Players who could possibly be back are Yakou Meite, Michael Olise and Andy Yiadom.
Reading Player To Watch
Lucas Joao, In fine scoring form, has now scored 14 league goals with 5 assists. Strong all-round player.
AFCB Team News
Apart from Junior Stanislas, Jason Tindall has a strong squad to pick from, no new injuries reported after Tuesday night.
AFCB Player To Watch
Jack Wilshere started and scored in the cup game and has again gained vital match fitness ahead of our game on Friday. With his experience and skill, will be a vital cog in our midfield to open up opposition defences. So hope to see him have a good performance against Reading.
Your say…
Lord Snooty wrote…
This really is a big game for us.
Not enormous because it’s still relatively early on in the season.
But it’s still of the large size.
It’s the sort of game that if we win will spread so much confidence and if we lose will spread a fair amount of despair.
Pivotal I think the word is.
Yes.
Pivotal by George. – Join the conversation, click here.
