Early Team News Golden Boys manager, Aidy Boothroyd has a full squad in which to choose from after striker Darius Henderson completed his three match suspension last weekend. Jay DeMerit is pushing for a recall after being rested against Derby County, while James Chambers is also in contention after captaining the reserves in their 2-1 victory over Southampton on Monday evening. Reading has injury problems ahead of the clash, which are likely to test their impressive looking squad. Leroy Lita is definitely ruled out after breaking an ankle at Burnley last Saturday, and winger, Glen Little is also missing with a groin problem. Talented midfielder Steven Sidwell is also considered doubtful after collecting a thigh problem in the Royals’ last home fixture against Preston North End. History of the Reading v Watford fixture
Watford face a trip to Reading at Madejski Stadium on Saturday afternoon having come away with little their previous 49 meetings in Berkshire, the Golden Boys having been beaten a depressing 32 times.
The most recent Championship encounter between these two sides was on Boxing Day 2004, with Reading running out comfortable 3 - 0 winners in a Championship match.
For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here Recent encounters between the teams: | 2005/2006 | Sat 27 Aug | Watford | 0 - 0 | Reading | CHMP | 2004/2005 | Sun 26 Dec | Reading | 3 - 0 | Watford | CHMP | 2004/2005 | Sat 25 Sep | Watford | 0 - 1 | Reading | CHMP | 2004/2005 | Tue 21 Sep | Reading | 0 - 3 | Watford | LGEC | 2003/2004 | Sun 09 May | Watford | 1 - 0 | Reading | CHMP | 2003/2004 | Sat 29 Nov | Reading | 2 - 1 | Watford | CHMP | 2002/2003 | Wed 30 Apr | Watford | 0 - 3 | Reading | CHMP |
Recent respective form guides
Reading are unbeaten in their last six home games, winning five of them, and drawing the other one. These high-scoring games have yielded a total of 14 goals for the Royals, with only four goals conceded.
Watford's away form is equally impressive, and the Golden Boys have tasted just one defeat on their travels in their last six, a contentious odd goal in three reversal to Leeds United. Watford has four of the six, at Luton Town, Norwich City, Sheffield United, and Brighton & Hove Albion. The games have constituted a decent return of 11 goals for the Hornets, with only seven against.
The hosts are leading the way in the Coca Cola Championship, with their 37 games giving them a return of 89 points, while visiting Watford remain just outside the promotion places, in fourth spot, having collected 68 points from their 37 games played. For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here Current form guides: | P | W | D | L | F | A | P | Reading | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 7 | 10 | Watford | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 6 | 13 |
FootyMad's prediction ...
This promises to be an excellent test for the in-form Golden Boys, but one which I believe will end in stalemate. Score draw
Sequence statistics: | Reading | Won 3 successive home games.
4 games since last home draw.
Not drawn a match in their last 3. | Watford | 6 games since last away draw.
4 games since last defeat. |
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