Royals entertain Arsenal at the Madjeski.
The last time these two sides did battle the game ended in a rip-roaring 12 goal Capital One Cup thriller and in all likelihood both managers will hope tonight’s encounter is more sedate and with a better level of defending.
Arsenal have slipped down to eighth following the weekend’s results and anything less than a win at the Madejski will heap more pressure on beleaguered boss Arsene Wenger. The Gunners have won just two of their last seven Premier League matches and their last away victory came in early October.
Reading have sunk to the bottom of the Premier League after QPR’s maiden win of the season and Brian McDermott will be hoping his side can pick up at least a point to send the Super Hoops back to the foot of the table.
Venue Madejski Stadium, Monday 8pm, Sky Sports 1
Tickets Here
Last season n/a
Referee Anthony Taylor
This season’s matches 10 Y18, R3, 2.10 cards per game
Odds Reading 4-1 Arsenal 4-6 Draw 14-5
Reading
Subs from Taylor, Gunter, Harte, Gunnarsson, Obita, Samuel, Hunt, McCleary, Pearce, Guthrie, Pogrebnyak
Doubtful Roberts, Pogrebnyak, Robson-Kanu Injured Morrison (ankle, 22 Dec), Kébé (groin, 22 Dec), Karacan (fitness, 22 Dec)
Suspended None
Form guide LLLLLW
Disciplinary record Y16 R0
Leading scorer Adam Le Fondre 4
Arsenal
Subs from Mannone, Martinez, Jenkinson, Yennaris, Djourou, Koscielny, Squillaci, Ramsey, Rosicky, Coquelin, Gnabry, Arshavin, Podolski, Gervinho, Chamakh
Doubtful Walcott, Koscielny Injured Diaby (thigh, unknown), Fabianski (ankle, three months), Santos (abdominal strain, 22 Dec) Suspended None
Form guide WLDDWD
Disciplinary record Y16 R1
Leading scorer Walcott, Giroud, Podolski 4
SOURCE Guardian
STAT-ATTACK
Head-to-head
Arsenal have won all 10 previous competitive matches against Reading, including four Premier League games.
The most recent meeting was a League Cup fourth round tie at the Madejski Stadium on 30 October. The Gunners won that match 7-5 after extra-time despite trailing 4-0 after 37 minutes.
Reading
The Royals have claimed nine points from their opening 16 games – eight fewer than in the 2007-08 season in which they were relegated from the Premier League.
Reading have lost their last five league games. It is the worst run since losing eight matches in a row during the 2007-08 campaign.
They have won one of their last 10 Premier League home games (W1, D5, L4).
Jason Roberts is poised to make his 450th career league appearance.
Arsenal
The Gunners have not won a Premier League match outside of London since winning 2-0 at Liverpool on 2 September.
They have scored eight times in their eight away league games this season, conceding just six times.
Arsenal have let in only six goals in the second half of Premier League matches this season, fewer than any other top-flight side.
SOURCE BBC Sport
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