Reading v Swansea City Competition - Sky Bet Championship Date - 1 January 2019 Kick off - 3pm Venue - Madejski Stadium Following their battling 2-2 draw at home to Wigan, when the Swans came back from 0-2 down, next up for Graham Potter’s Swansea squad is a trip to next to bottom Reading. Against Wigan, the Swans fought back to rescue a point as Wigan's winless run in the Championship continued. Wigan came into the game on the back of four successive defeats but were in control at the interval thanks to a double from Joe Garner The striker scored from the penalty spot and headed home from a corner. However, Swansea responded and scored two goals from corners themselves as Mike van der Hoorn blasted home on 82 minutes after Dan Burn's own goal. Manager Graham Potter said that he was to blame for Swansea’s slow start against Wigan - Swansea's unusual system seemingly confusing Potter's players. Potter made two substitutions at half-time to change his system, resulting in a super fightback. "I take full responsibility for the first half, we weren't able to be ourselves and it was an uncomfortable 45 minutes," Potter explained. "We had an idea but clearly it didn't work, or I wasn't able to explain the idea well enough. "I am disappointed with myself and apologise to the players and to the supporters for the first half. "But the response in the second half was fantastic and our supporters throughout the game were incredible. They got behind us in an amazing way and we could even have nicked all three points." The Latics stay 19th in the Championship while Swansea remain 13th despite having lost five of their past eight. Whilst the Swans were drawing with Wigan, Reading were denying QPR a fourth successive win, keeping Rangers at bay in an eventful goalless draw at Loftus Road. Rangers centre-back Toni Leistner was twice denied by the crossbar with volleyed efforts in either half, while Royals goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola made a string of impressive saves. The draw ended a run of back-to-back defeats for Reading, who remain second from bottom, and gave new manager Jose Gomes his first point since taking charge before Christmas. Reading, who are next to bottom, will have been encouraged by closing the gap to safety to two points, but they are without a win in nine matches and have only netted one goal in their past five league games. The Swans and Reading have met 78 times previously, with Swansea winning 31, Reading 33 and 14 draws. Without doubt the most important and memorable of those previous matches took place at Wembley in 2011 - the Championship Play-Off final - a match that saw the Swans promoted to the Premier League: Turning to Tuesday, Potter will hopefully have learned from the first half fiasco against Wigan, and will select his ‘best’ team and ‘best’ formation. However, I think the match will end 1-1, as Reading will look to secure points to claw their way to safety. Happy New Year
I seriously have no idea anymore........ I only have confidence that Reading will score at least once.
I give up with the predictions. As we’re away I’m going for a 1-2 win, two OG’s for us. Better win I’m venturing up to the game.
The best i can hope for is a 0 - 0.....With plenty of shots off target and loads of possession......I dont have any confidence in our forwards....
I'm going for a 1-2 win for us, Potter will need to pick his strongest team yet and go with our strengths with his formation and strategy, we need a convincing win, otherwise Potter will regrettably be under intense scrutiny if he loses this one going into the January window......................
There seems to be a lot of positivity regarding this game so I'll go for a 2 - 0. Against my better judgement! (not that I have any)
I’m going if I can shift this bloody flu that’s cropped up in the last few days. Me and my lad smothering but I will drag myself out of my sickbed to attend.
I don't think he will bother with the FA Cup. Strong team v. Reading and a weak one v. Villa on Saturday. Maybe.
