Reading vs Brentford
Tuesday 14 February The Madjeski Stadium Sky Bet Championship Kick-off: 8pm
The Opponents
After battling relegation for the last two campaigns, and with a rookie Sky Bet Championship manager in charge, not much was expected from Reading this season when things kicked off in August. However, under Jaap Stam, The Royals have proved the doubters wrong and go into the final third of the season firmly cemented in the Play-Off picture. Stam's side have been beaten just twice at home all season and have also picked up seven wins on their travels this term to sit fourth in the table, seven points off the automatic promotion places but with a seven point cushion on seventh-placed Norwich City.
Nine players were brought in during the summer, including former Bees loanee John Swift, and another five arrived during the January transfer window. Tiago Ilori and Adrian Popa moved to Berkshire from Liverpool and Steaua Bucharest on permanent deals while Reece Oxford [West Ham], Jordan Mutch [Crystal Palace], and Lewis Grabban [AFC Bournemouth] joined until the end of the season on loan.
The Manager
Former Manchester United defender Stam was announced as Reading boss in the summer replacing the outgoing Brian McDermott. Stam was renowned as one of the best defenders in the world during his playing days which included spells with PSV Eindhoven, AC Milan, Lazio, and Ajax. At United, Stam won three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, the Intercontinental Cup, and the UEFA Champions League to add to nine other domestic honours picked up over the course of his career. He was voted into the PFA Team of the Year three times and won the UEFA Club Best Defender of the Year prize twice. He earned 67 international caps for Holland and finished fourth in the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
The 44-year-old moved into coaching in 2011 at his first club PEC Zwolle, helping them to promotion from the Eerste Divisie, before becoming an assistant at Ajax in 2013.
The Match Officials
Referee: Keith Stroud Assistant Referees: Akil Howson and Mark Pottage Fourth Official: Nicholas Kinseley
Ticket news
There will be Pay on the Day at Reading tonight from the South Stand Ticket Office between gates 9 and 10. The office will be open by 6.30pm, cash and card:
Adult (25-64) £23 Senior (65+) £16 Young Person (18-24) £16 Junior (Under 18) £8
Travel News
Click here for a travel guide on getting to The Madjeski Stadium
Pre-Match Views
Tom Field looking to bounce back after Preston North End defeat
Match Betting
Principal partners 888sport offer the latest odds on tonight's match against Reading.
Brentford 9/4 Reading 23/20 Draw 12/5
Join Club Sponsors 888sport today and get the best odds on a range of Brentford markets
Match Coverage
You can hear live match commentary on Bees Player from 7.15pm on Tuesday, with Mark Burridge and Marcus Gayle.
There will be live match updates on Twitter from 7pm.
Download the new Brentford FC app on android and iPhone and get all the coverage from Griffin Park in one place. Download for free here.