Coventry v Reading Preview
Posted on | April 4, 2009 | No Comments
This is a fixture that involves one team with nothing to play for and one with absolutely everything at stake. With Coventry fixed in a mid-table position on fifty points, really their season is over and they don’t have a chance of play offs and are comfortably safe of the relegation places. Reading on the other hand are based in 3rd and with just four points separating them from Birmingham in 2nd, Steve Coppell’s men know how vital it is to finish this season strongly.
It’s hard to gauge whether Coventry’s season has been successful or not, as on one hand they’ve improved vastly on their last campaign but then again they did invest heavily in players during the summer. Last season saw them escape relegation by the skin of their teeth and with that, 14th position should please the Ricoh Arena supporters. However, with the likes of Freddy Eastwood, Clinton Morrison, David Bell and Kieran Westwood all arriving, perhaps they should have really been aiming for a top half finish. Still, it’s certainly not been a disastrous campaign and having won their last game against Doncaster, Chris Coleman will be hoping his side can build on that and mould a strong end to the season.
Reading on the other hand have absolutely everything to play for. Just like all of the sides up there, this season hasn’t exactly been plain sailing for the Royals and they’ve had to endure plenty of inconsistent results. However, now the business end of the season is here, Steve Coppell knows that it’s time to knuckle down and get to work. Reading are currently four points behind the automatic positions but with the Madejski side having a game in hand, they’ve certainly got a fighting chance of going straight up. However, there’s no doubt that recent form needs to be drastically improved. They’ve won just once in their last five and considering their opponents have hardly been promotion-chasing sides, that’s a dreadful statistic for a side like Reading.
As for team news, Coventry will be without James McPake and Daniel Fox who are sidelined by groin and knee injuries respectively. Leon McKenzie is also doubtful through injury, although Chris Coleman is hopeful that Aron Gunnarsson will feature after an early fitness scare. The visitors on the other hand have a few players doubtful with Steve Coppell unsure over Brynjar Gunnarsson, Jimmy Kebe, Kalifa Cisse and Glenn Little. Out of the four, at least one or two are expected to pull through though.
Reading may possess a much stronger squad on paper, but this is exactly the type of game that the Royals have struggled in this season. With that, we’re going to predict the unexpected – a narrow 1-0 win for Coventry.
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