Preston North End Vs Reading Match Preview
By Mark Sugar
December 28 2004
Results went the Royals way on Sunday,and Reading boss Steve Coppell will be hoping for more of the same come 4:45pm Tuesday evening.His side make the difficult trip up north to face Preston North End,who have made good progress under the guidance of Billy Davies.
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COCA COLA CHAMPIONSHIP | |||||
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TEAM NEWS | |||||
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The Royals travel up north with the prospect of missing James Harper. The influential midfielder has been a key player in the club's success achieved so far this season and went off in the 3-0 Boxing Day victory over Watford with cramp. Should Harper miss the clash, then it would mean a start for either Ricky Newman, Andy Hughes, Bas Savage or Simieon Howell. Royals skipper Graeme Murty missed his 3rd consecutive match in a row yesterday after his ankle injury sustained in the 4-1 loss at Wolves did not recover in time. The reliable Andy Hughes filled in for the Scottish full back and again will do so unless Murty fully recovers. Leading goal scorer Dave Kitson will definitely miss the early morning clash after picking up ligament damage in the 1-0 win over QPR. He is likely to be out for 6-8 weeks. Nicky Forster will therefore lead the line again for the Royals. Fozzy will be desperate to play against Preston after he turned down a move to North End in July 1999 in favour of a £650,000 move to Reading and has somewhat never been forgiven by their supporters. His goal scoring record is very impressive against Preston and it was his wonder goal this season that secured the points in September. Forster will be partnered by Lloyd Owusu who got the nod to start over Dean Morgan against Watford, and Owusu didn't let Manager Steve Coppell down by scoring the 3rd against the Hornets. It's now 5 goals in 16 for Owusu this season. Preston North End Key Player - Richard Creswell | |||||
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FORM GUIDE | |||||
| It's been a good Christmas for Steve Coppell and his side who are unbeaten in 3 games in the league. They recorded there first boxing day victory yesterday after beating Ray Lewington's Watford at the Madejski Stadium 3-0. The Royals currently lie in 3rd place, level on the same amount of points as 2nd place Wigan who have a better goal scoring record.
PNE go into the clash on the back of a respectable 0-0 draw at the Britannia Stadium against Stoke City. Former Royals winger Omar Daley came closest for the Lilywhites by hitting the bar in the 2nd half. Billy Davies side currently lie in a respectable 13th place, 8 points behind a playoff spot and 12 points clear of relegation. | |||||
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PREVIOUS MEETINGS | |||||
| Reading 3:1 Preston North End (14/09/04)
Preston North End 2:1 Reading (02/03/04) Reading 1:2 Preston North End (13/01/04) Preston North End 3:3 Reading (03/01/04) Reading 3:2 Preston North End (18/10/03) Reading 5:1 Preston North End (15/04/03) Preston North End 1:0 Reading (26/10/02) Preston North End 2:2 Reading (05/02/00) Reading 2:2 Preston North End (01/09/99) Reading 2:1 Preston North End (20/02/99) Preston North End 4:0 Reading (12/09/98) | |||||
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OTHER INFORMATION | |||||
| Tickets will be available on the day of the game at Deepdale. Royals supporters will need to go to the away ticket office to purchase tickets. For ticket prices, click here.
Preston North End are offering secure parking and a shuttle bus service to the ground for Royals fans. Fans should leave the M6 at junction 32 rather than 31, and follow the signs for the Royal Preston Hospital. Here there is secure, stewarded parking, priced at £5, and a free shuttle bus service for the 5 minute journey to the ground and then back to the car park after the game. The car park is open from 1pm and solves the hassle of having to find parking around the ground in a residential area, where many of the streets require a permit for residents only. Match day Programme - £2.50 Make sure to make your predictions on the 1871Royals Prediction League |
