Reading Vs Crystal Palace Match Preview

By Mark Sugar
December 19 2003

Steve Coppell welcomes his former side Crystal Palace for the live Sky game (Kick off 17:35) at the Madejski Stadium.Palace have appointed Iain Dowie as there new boss and this is his 1st game in charge,so the Royals need to be at there best.But whatever happens it will be a right Christmas cracker.

Reading Vs Crystal Palace

Team News
Steve Coppell finally looks like he will be getting some luck over Christmas.This is after the news that both Steve Brown and club captain Adie Williams have recovered from there knee injuries and are in contention for tomorrow's match.Both played in Tuesday's 2-0 friendly defeat to Watford.Manager Coppell must decide who shall start the match after the Royals poor result against Stoke,losing 3-0.
But this match is to early for striker's Darius Henderson and Shaun Goater.Both have been out for a month now with knee injuries.However club physio Jon Fearn expects both to be ready for the boxing day clash with Wimbledon.
Also back will be Andy Hughes.The midfielder missed the defeat to Stoke with a hamstring injury.James Harper looks set to drop the bench again.
Coppell must decide also if he should stick with Scott Murray.The Scottish International has been playing very poorly recently,despite picking up a Man of the Match award for Scotland B over a week ago.If dropped Bas Savage will be recalled.
Jamie Young continues as backup goalkeeper to American Marcus Hahnemann.This is after Steve Coppell extended Jamie Ashdown's loan spell at Rushden and Diamonds for another month.

As for Crystal Palace well its been a difficult season for them.Steve Kember started the season as manager but was sacked due to the poor position in the league table.Kit Symons stepped in as Caretaker Player-Manager but its now been confirmed that Iain Dowie will be boss after leaving Oldham.No news as yet as to if Dowie starts today.
Teams news though is Kit Symons is suspended after being sent off against Preston.Ex Brentford star Darren Powell joins Symons because of a knee injury.Julian Gray,who recently was on-loan at Cardiff is doubtful with the flu while Neil Shipperley and Shaun Derry are expected to be fit.Palace have Aston Villa full back Rob Edwards on loan.

KEY PLAYER FOR CRYSTAL PALACE:Andy Johnson

Form Guide
Reading suffered there joint biggest defeat of the season last week as they crashed 3-0 at Stoke,thanks to a hat-trick from Dutch winger Peter Hoekstra.
Crystal Palace picked up a good 1-0 win at home against struggling Nottingham Forest thanks to a brillant Andy Johnson goal.

Previous Meetings
15/3/2003 Reading 2-1 Crystal Palace
26/11/2002 Crystal Palace 0-1 Reading
23/4/1997 Crystal Palace 3-2 Reading
21/9/1996 Reading 1-6 Crystal Palace
8/4/1996 Reading 0-2 Crystal Palace
4/11/1995 Crystal Palace 0-2 Reading

League Table
7th Reading 37 points
21st Crystal Palace 25 points

Ticket News
Tickets are still onsale for the game prices being £20 adults,£13 concessions.

Division 1 Fixtures for the weekend
Preston vs Burnley 12:30
Cardiff City vs Millwall 12:30 (LIVE ON SKY)
Bradford City v Rotherham Utd 15:00
Coventry City vs West Brom 15:00
Crewe vs Wigan Athletic 15:00
Derby County vs Sheff Utd 15:00
Nottm Forest vs Gillingham 15:00
Sunderland vs Wimbledon 15:00
Walsall vs West Ham Utd 15:00
Watford vs Stoke City 15:00
Reading vs Crystal Palace 17:35 (LIVE ON SKY)

Sun Dec 21 2003
Ipswich Town vs Norwich 12:00

As this is my last Match Preview before Christmas then Have a Merry Christmas and come back on Christmas day for another match preview Vs Wimbledon