THE OPPOSITION
The Royals are yet to win following the restart with a draw and a defeat to show for their efforts so far. That draw, which came against Stoke City, looked set to be three points until Nick Powell struck a 92nd minute equaliser while Saturday's outing was a 2-1 defeat at Derby County. Those two results have left The Royals in 15th, 11 points off the Play-Offs and seven points clear of the relegation places.
After winning just two of their first 11 in the league, Jose Gomes was relieved of his duties by Sporting Director Mark Bowen in October, Bowen eventually choosing himself as the man to take the reins at The Madejski Stadium.
Despite some initial scepticism from The Royals' faithful, Bowen quickly moved Reading away from trouble with eight wins from his first 14 games in charge. Within touching distance of the Play-Offs at the end of that run, three league wins in 2020 has dropped Reading back into the mid-table as we head towards the end of the campaign.
No Reading player is in double figures for league goals yet this term with George Puscas (pictured above) their leading scorer with nine. Much of the creativity comes from the boots of former Brentford loanee John Swift who has been involved in 15 of Reading's 48 league goals this term.
THE MANAGER
A left-back with Tottenham Hotspur, Norwich City, for whom he made 399 appearances, and Charlton Athletic among others, former Welsh International Bowen retired in 2000. His coaching career began with The Royals and took in stops at Crystal Palace and Birmingham City alongside Steve Bruce before he joined Mark Hughes' coaching staff with the Welsh National Team. Bowen was a loyal assistant to Hughes at Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City, Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Stoke City, and Southampton before branching out to become Reading's technical advisor in March of this year.
TEAM NEWS
Mathias Jensen was a late withdrawl on Friday night ahead of the win over West Bromwich Albion but could be fit to face The Royals. Other than that, Thomas has no injury concerns with Bryan Mbeumo returning on Friday night following his positive Coronavirus test.
Matt Miazga starts a ban tonight after his red card on Saturday while Liverpool loanee Ovie Ejaria could play his final game for The Royals with his loan set to end tomorrow. Lucas Joao will miss the game but Andy Yiadom could return after being left out on Saturday as a precaution.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
🆚 Jonathan Low of Get Reading previews tonight's fixture
⚖ Dean Whitestone will be the man in charge tonight
PONTUS JANSSON INTERVIEW
MEMORABLE MEETING
HOW TO FOLLOW
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