West Brom v Reading Preview

Posted on | October 16, 2009 | No Comments

Both of these sides were tipped to compete at the top end of the table but so far, only one of them is doing the business. Despite a few bad results in recent weeks West Brom are sat in 2nd position, although it’s been a different story for Reading who are languishing in 21st.

Many thought that West Brom’s 5-0 demolition of Middlesbrough a few weeks ago would spark the Baggies into creating a huge gap at the top of the table. Instead, it’s done the opposite. They’ve now lost their top spot after failing to win in their last three and with two of those being defeats to lowly Crystal Palace and Barnsley, the Baggies are experiencing something of a blip. However, being in 2nd position certainly shouldn’t be scoffed at and after accumulating twenty one points in the opening eleven games, Roberto Di Matteo’s men are still well on course to bounce back to the Premiership. However, after learning his trade in the lower leagues, this poor run really will be a test of Di Matteo’s ability at this level.

Opponents Reading are really struggling though and it looks as though the summer turbulence has taken its toll on a club that were only in the Premiership two years ago. The loss of manager Steve Coppell and several key players has given the club a completely different base and new boss Brendan Rodgers seems to be struggling a little. The Royals have collected just ten points from their opening eleven games and for a side that graced the playoffs last season, that isn’t good enough. Still, in recent weeks Rodgers has brought in some quality additions with the likes of Brian Howard, Jobi McAnuff and Grzegorz Rasiak all arriving at the Madejski Stadium. Now the new additions have had time to gel following the international break, perhaps we’ll now see a more improved Reading.

West Brom have just the one concern coming into this one as Chris Brunt looks set to miss out with a calf problem. However, Roberto Di Matteo has plenty of good news and will welcome back Luke Moore and Graham Dorrans while Scott Carson has recovered from an ankle injury and should feature. Jerome Thomas is another player who is back in the reckoning after the former Charlton man completed a suspension. It’s a bit quieter for Reading with Grzegorz Rasiak and Noel Hunt both in contention after recovering from their respective injury problems.

West Brom may have been on something of a bad run but on paper, the Baggies are far superior to Reading. With that we see only one victor and believe that West Brom will return to their best in a 2-0 win.

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5. Leicester v West Brom Preview

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