Match Day Thread Reading v Bristol City

Preview: Reading vs. Bristol City - prediction, team news, lineups

Reading play host to Bristol City in the Championship on Tuesday evening looking to build on their victory at home to Preston North End at the weekend.
While the Royals recorded their first win of the season on Saturday, Bristol City make the trip to the Madejski Stadium having not prevailed in any of their three outings in all competitions.
Despite having pushed hard for a playoff spot last season, the majority of Reading supporters would be delighted with consolidation this time around given their situation off the pitch.
Nevertheless, there will be optimism at the Madejski Stadium now that they have gotten three points on the board against a struggling Preston outfit.
Anything less than three points would have only increased concerns about a year of fighting to avoid survival, but the Royals will retain their spot in the Championship in comfortable fashion if they can keep their best players fit.
While Lucas Joao remains the key man for Veljko Paunovic, the Serbian requires the likes of Femi Azeez and Ethan Bristow to develop into regular members of the squad.
As far as Bristol City are concerned, they make the trip to Berkshire having failed to emerge victorious in three games in which they were arguably the favourites.
On the back of a draw with newly-promoted Blackpool and penalty-shootout defeat to Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Cup, the Robins succumbed to a 2-1 reverse at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Nigel Pearson would have been pleased with how his players fought their way back into the game at the Riverside Stadium, but another setback has left their manager desperately searching for answers.
Despite being handed a long-term contract in the summer, Pearson now has just two wins from 17 matches, a record which cannot be extended into the autumn..
While the Bristol City hierarchy will be prepared to give the former Leicester City man some time, they will not want to become embroiled in a relegation battle given the calibre of players at the club.
Barring any late fitness issues, Paunovic is likely to stick with the same Reading players which started against Preston.
While George Puscas is an alternative to Bristow, Tom Dele-Bashiru will have to wait for an opportunity after his loan switch from Watford.
Pearson may take the chance to recall Tomas Kalas to the Bristol City side after two appearances on the substitutes' bench.
The Czech Republic international could replace either Zak Vyner at right-back or Rob Atkinson in the middle of the backline.
Han-Noah Massengo, Saikou Janneh and Nahki Wells are all pushing for starting roles in the final third.

Reading possible starting lineup:
Cabral; Yiadom, Morrison, Moore, McIntyre; Rinomhota, Laurent; Azeez, Swift, Bristow; Joao

Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Bentley; Vyner, Baker, Kalas, Dasilva; James, King; Weimann, Scott, Palmer; Martin

https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/footba...-team-news-lineups_459458.html?cQx=NN&newsnow

 

Interview: ‘We want to give the fans something to shout about’ – King
https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/interview-we-want-to-give-the-fans-something-to-shout-about-king/

 

MansionBet Match Preview: Reading (A)
Monday, August 16th 2021

City are back on the road for midweek action at Reading.
https://www.bcfc.co.uk/news/mansionbet-match-preview-reading-a/

 

Lucas Joao and Ovie Ejaria - Latest Reading FC injury news as Royals gear up for Bristol City
Reading FC injury latest and early team news as Royals return to the Select Car Leasing Stadium for the third time in a week on Tuesday night when Bristol City come to town
https://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/...s/reading-injury-latest-joao-bristol-21203673

 

Nigel Pearson hints at rotating his Bristol City team with trip to Reading next
Robins manager under pressure to grab a victory after two defeats and a draw so far in 2021/22

Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson has hinted that he will rotate his Robins squad for Tuesday night's game against Reading.

The West Country men lost 2-1 against Middlesbrough on the weekend to make it three games without a victory so far this season, although the new campaign is just a mere 10 days old. City face playing three matches in six days such is the scheduling.

Pearson told BBC Radio Bristol on the weekend that there may be changes in the wake of the loss at the Riverside Stadium.

"We'll see how the selection goes this week," teased the manager. "We've got to be much more efficient. We've given ourselves problems this week by not seeing games through.

"And [against Middlesbrough] we had the opportunity to get an away win and didn't take it for whatever the reason.

"It remains a frustration but this is what football is," said the 57-year-old philosophically.

Pearson also reiterated the point in an official club channel interview on the weekend too: "After a disappointing day like [against Middlesbrough] I'll be as good as my word and give other people a chance," said Pearson.

"People want to ask questions about why certain players aren't playing," the manager added. "If you're in the side, play well enough and you stay there.

"I don't care who that player is. It's important that players know how they remain in the side, and that is to deliver what it is they are there to deliver."

Key central defender Tomas Kalas, who came off the bench for the final 11 minutes on Saturday to replace Zak Vyner, is expected to feature this week after being on the bench for the last two Championship games and with two fixtures in close succession to come.

Likewise Nahki Wells could be restored to the first XI, with the Robins only scoring two goals in a league game once in their past 12 outings.

Meanwhile, Reading have a few problems in attack for the game at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, with key striker Lucas Joao a doubt to face Pearson's side.

The forward who top scored for the Berkshire outfit last season, with 19 goals, was withdrawn in the 85th minute of the Royals' 2-1 win over Preston on Saturday and may not be fit until the weekend.

Manager Veljko Paunovic said post-match: "Lucas is being assessed in the changing room by our medical staff but he is in a lot of pain.

"The question remains is it pain because of the injury or just soreness, so we'll have to see."

Former Liverpool winger Ovie Ejaria, likewise is uncertain to make the game against City and may feature against Coventry in their next fixture instead, while fellow forward Yakou Meite is unavailable due to an ACL injury picked up in pre-season.

Predicted XI(4-2-3-1): Bentley; Simpson, Kalas, Atknson, Dasilva; James, King; Weimann, Massengo, Wells; Martin
https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport.../nigel-pearson-hints-rotating-bristol-5795075

 

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