Bristol City boss Lee Johnson may play Aden Flint as an emergency striker. Famara Diedhiou and Milan Djuric are out so centre-half Flint, who has six goals this season and played in attack during the second half of Saturday's draw at QPR, could deputise up front. John Swift is pushing to start for Reading after returning as a substitute in the 2-1 loss to Burton Albion. Garath McCleary, who had missed 12 games with a groin injury, was an unused substitute in that game. Match facts Bristol City have ended on the losing side in each of their past three league matches at Ashton Gate against Reading, relinquishing two-goal leads to lose 3-2 in two of those three defeats. Reading have won seven of their past eight league matches against Bristol City, but lost earlier this season at the Madejski. Bristol City haven't lost at home on Boxing Day in any of their past 22 matches (W13 D9) - their last Boxing Day defeat at Ashton Gate came 55 years ago, losing 2-1 to Brighton in 1962. Yann Kermorgant has had a hand in five goals in two league starts against Bristol City (four goals, one assist).
The City head coach is well aware how much energy has been zapped from his injury-hit squad during December, in which they have secured four wins and a draw to date. Next up is a Boxing Day tussle with Jaap Stam's Royals, who are 11 points adrift of the play-offs after a surprise home defeat to Burton Albion on Saturday. "I like the way Jaap's team plays its football and they will be another difficult test," Johnson told BCTV. "Yes we got a good result at their place earlier in the season (a 1-0 win) but that has gone; this is a completely different game. "I know it's a cliché but we will need our supporters again, our 12th man, to really get behind the lads and push them on." City's players will be granted Christmas Day off to spend with their families. Jamie Paterson is a doubt after suffering a hamstring injury in the warm-up at QPR, which forced him to be replaced on the substitutes bench. A crowd in excess of 20,000 is expected, with the top tier open.
City host Jaap Stam's Reading in their penultimate home game of 2017. Lee Johnson's side will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions, while the Royals will hope to bounce back from successive defeats. Here's a look at City's Boxing Day opponents. FACTFILE Formed:1871Nickname: Royals Website: www.readingfc.co.uk Twitter: @ReadingFC Ground: Madejski Stadium Capacity: 24,161 Honours:Second Division winners (Championship) – 2005/06, 2011/12Third Division winners (L1)– 1925/26, 1985/86, 1993/94Fourth Division winners (L2) - 1978/79 Last season: Championship: 3rd (lost play-off final to Huddersfield Town)FA Cup: 3rd round, lost to Manchester UnitedEFL Cup: 4th round, lost to ArsenalTop scorer: Yann Kermorgant, 19 goalsAverage attendance: 16,636 HOW DID THEY GET HERE? The Berkshire outfit are one of the oldest clubs in English football but didn’t make their top flight debut until 2006. They have been homed at various grounds, notably Elm Park for more than a century, before the Madejski Stadium was built in 1998. The Royals rose up the ranks, joining the Football League in 1920 and enjoyed pre-Second World War cup successes. After the war, Reading again rose to prominence with high-place finishes in the third division but it wouldn’t be until the turn of the century that they would enjoy their best period of honours. This included a 13-game unbeaten run from the start of the 1985/86 campaign, a feat not matched by any team since. The Royals have featured in the Premier League across three seasons, finishing eighth in the division ten years ago and they have not dropped lower than the Championship since 2002. They mounted a strong promotion challenge last year before suffering the heartbreak of a play-off final defeat on penalties to Huddersfield Town. Despite lingering around mid-table at Christmas, the Royals are determined to kick on up the league again this season. please log in to view this image JAAP STAM WON THE TREBLE AT MANCHESTER UNITED IN HIS FIRST SEASON WITH THE CLUB MEET THE GAFFER - JAAP STAM The Manchester United legend is now into his second term as Royals boss. His first season in charge proved a successful one, as he led his side to third in the Championship only to suffer heartbreak in the play-off final at the hands of Huddersfield. A formidable central defender during his playing days, he spent three years at Old Trafford during which he won three consecutive league titles, one FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League in the treble-winning 1999 season. Since he hung up his boots a decade ago, the former Dutch international has won the Eerste Divisie with PEC Zwolle and helped Ajax take the top tier title in his native country. please log in to view this image BARROW IN ACTION AGAINST CARDIFF CITY STAR MAN - MODOU BARROW Gambia international Barrow helps carry Reading’s attacking threat. Armed with pace and a player who is technical on the ball, the 25-year-old forward has proved tough opposition and has helped himself to six goals this season – leading the Reading scoring chart. He’s a player of Premier League quality and has further Championship experience with the likes of Swansea City, Blackburn Rovers and Leeds United. please log in to view this image scott murray celebrates city's fourth goal MEMORABLE FIXTURE - BRISTOL CITY 4-0 READING Goals: Beadle 35, Thorpe 39, 68, Murray 70 City demolished their Reading counterparts 4-0 at Ashton Gate, en route to the Auto Windscreens Shield final against Stoke City. City scored two quick-fire doubles, in either half, with Tony Thorpe grabbing a brace. Peter Beadle had opened the scoring with Scott Murray added the icing on the cake in the second half. It was their second victory over the Royals in the 1999/2000 season. City would go on to beat Exeter City 5-1 over two legs in the area final, before losing 2-1 to Stoke in the final at Wembley. City: Mercer, Bell, Millen, Clist, Hill, Murray, Tinnion (Brown 87), Burnell, Holland (Hewlett 22), Beadle (Spencer 82), Thorpe. Subs not used: Testemitanu, Goodridge. Reading: Howie, Bernall (N Smith 65), Hunter, Robinson, Grant (Hodges), Caskey, Parkinson, McIntyre (Scott), Williams, Forster, Butler. AND FINALLY... OfficialsReferee: Oliver Langford Assistant Referees: Andrew Fox and Mark Pottage Fourth Official: Dean Whitestone Betting (via SkyBet)City 17/20 Draw 13/5 Reading 16/5
Bristol City v Reading Preview SKY Bristol City manager Lee Johnson will consider employing Aden Flint as an emergency striker against Reading. The free-scoring centre-half has six goals this season and was played in attack during the second half of Saturday's draw at QPR. Johnson has been without Famara Diedhiou and Milan Djuric so Flint may get a run against the Royals. He said: "It's a viable option for us. It's not a joke. We've got two top strikers out - they're our target men but I think Flinty enjoys himself." John Swift made his long-awaited Reading return as a substitute in Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Burton and will hope to feature more prominently. Swift had spent five games on the sidelines with a hamstring problem but came on after an hour of the Brewers clash. Garath McCleary, who had missed 12 games with a groin injury, was an unused substitute but could now be involved on Boxing Day. Liam Kelly was preferred to Tyler Blackett against Albion in the only change to Jaap Stam's starting XI. Opta stats The Robins have ended on the losing side in each of their last three league matches at Ashton Gate against Reading, relinquishing two-goal leads to lose 3-2 in two of those three defeats. Reading have won seven of their last eight league matches against Bristol City, but lost earlier this season at the Madejski. Bristol City haven't lost at home on Boxing Day in any of their last 22 matches (W13 D9) - their last Boxing Day defeat at Ashton Gate came 55 years ago, losing 2-1 to Brighton in 1962. Yann Kermorgant has had a hand in five goals in two league starts against Bristol City (four goals, one assist). BBC Bristol City boss Lee Johnson may play Aden Flint as an emergency striker. Famara Diedhiou and Milan Djuric are out so centre-half Flint, who has six goals this season and played in attack during the second half of Saturday's draw at QPR, could deputise up front. John Swift is pushing to start for Reading after returning as a substitute in the 2-1 loss to Burton Albion. Garath McCleary, who had missed 12 games with a groin injury, was an unused substitute in that game. Match facts Bristol City have ended on the losing side in each of their past three league matches at Ashton Gate against Reading, relinquishing two-goal leads to lose 3-2 in two of those three defeats. Reading have won seven of their past eight league matches against Bristol City, but lost earlier this season at the Madejski. Bristol City haven't lost at home on Boxing Day in any of their past 22 matches (W13 D9) - their last Boxing Day defeat at Ashton Gate came 55 years ago, losing 2-1 to Brighton in 1962. Yann Kermorgant has had a hand in five goals in two league starts against Bristol City (four goals, one assist).
Bristol City FC Big Match Preview: Reading Sunday, December 24th 2017 City host Jaap Stam's Reading in their penultimate home game of 2017. Lee Johnson's side will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions, while the Royals will hope to bounce back from successive defeats. Here's a look at City's Boxing Day opponents. FACTFILE Formed:1871Nickname: Royals Website: www.readingfc.co.uk Twitter: @ReadingFC Ground: Madejski Stadium Capacity: 24,161 Honours:Second Division winners (Championship) – 2005/06, 2011/12Third Division winners (L1)– 1925/26, 1985/86, 1993/94Fourth Division winners (L2) - 1978/79 Last season: Championship: 3rd (lost play-off final to Huddersfield Town)FA Cup: 3rd round, lost to Manchester UnitedEFL Cup: 4th round, lost to ArsenalTop scorer: Yann Kermorgant, 19 goalsAverage attendance: 16,636 HOW DID THEY GET HERE? The Berkshire outfit are one of the oldest clubs in English football but didn’t make their top flight debut until 2006. They have been homed at various grounds, notably Elm Park for more than a century, before the Madejski Stadium was built in 1998. The Royals rose up the ranks, joining the Football League in 1920 and enjoyed pre-Second World War cup successes. After the war, Reading again rose to prominence with high-place finishes in the third division but it wouldn’t be until the turn of the century that they would enjoy their best period of honours. This included a 13-game unbeaten run from the start of the 1985/86 campaign, a feat not matched by any team since. The Royals have featured in the Premier League across three seasons, finishing eighth in the division ten years ago and they have not dropped lower than the Championship since 2002. They mounted a strong promotion challenge last year before suffering the heartbreak of a play-off final defeat on penalties to Huddersfield Town. Despite lingering around mid-table at Christmas, the Royals are determined to kick on up the league again this season. please log in to view this image JAAP STAM WON THE TREBLE AT MANCHESTER UNITED IN HIS FIRST SEASON WITH THE CLUB MEET THE GAFFER - JAAP STAM The Manchester United legend is now into his second term as Royals boss. His first season in charge proved a successful one, as he led his side to third in the Championship only to suffer heartbreak in the play-off final at the hands of Huddersfield. A formidable central defender during his playing days, he spent three years at Old Trafford during which he won three consecutive league titles, one FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League in the treble-winning 1999 season. Since he hung up his boots a decade ago, the former Dutch international has won the Eerste Divisie with PEC Zwolle and helped Ajax take the top tier title in his native country. please log in to view this image BARROW IN ACTION AGAINST CARDIFF CITY STAR MAN - MODOU BARROW Gambia international Barrow helps carry Reading’s attacking threat. Armed with pace and a player who is technical on the ball, the 25-year-old forward has proved tough opposition and has helped himself to six goals this season – leading the Reading scoring chart. He’s a player of Premier League quality and has further Championship experience with the likes of Swansea City, Blackburn Rovers and Leeds United. please log in to view this image scott murray celebrates city's fourth goal MEMORABLE FIXTURE - BRISTOL CITY 4-0 READING Goals: Beadle 35, Thorpe 39, 68, Murray 70 City demolished their Reading counterparts 4-0 at Ashton Gate, en route to the Auto Windscreens Shield final against Stoke City. City scored two quick-fire doubles, in either half, with Tony Thorpe grabbing a brace. Peter Beadle had opened the scoring with Scott Murray added the icing on the cake in the second half. It was their second victory over the Royals in the 1999/2000 season. City would go on to beat Exeter City 5-1 over two legs in the area final, before losing 2-1 to Stoke in the final at Wembley. City: Mercer, Bell, Millen, Clist, Hill, Murray, Tinnion (Brown 87), Burnell, Holland (Hewlett 22), Beadle (Spencer 82), Thorpe. Subs not used: Testemitanu, Goodridge. Reading: Howie, Bernall (N Smith 65), Hunter, Robinson, Grant (Hodges), Caskey, Parkinson, McIntyre (Scott), Williams, Forster, Butler. AND FINALLY... OfficialsReferee: Oliver Langford Assistant Referees: Andrew Fox and Mark Pottage Fourth Official: Dean Whitestone Betting (via SkyBet)City 17/20 Draw 13/5 Reading 1
I was just thinking that I am watching a typical boring Boxing Day bore when BANG we get one. Somewhat similar to Joe's blockbuster against Man Utd. Let's keep all 3 points because there have been some slip ups by others. Please keep it quiet but we're in 2nd spot!
2-0. These are the kind of matches we need to tuck under our belt if we want to succeed. Nice one lads and now on to Molineux for another 3 points. 23,116 ??????
