MansionBet Match Preview: Reading (H)

Tuesday, February 16th 2021

The Robins hope to use frustrations from a heavy defeat as fuel when they take on Reading under the Ashton Gate lights on Tuesday (February 16th, 7.45pm KO).

In association with City's Principal Partner MansionBet, we take a closer look at the match...

City are trying to find way of the rut they find themselves in after a run of five losses in a row, and promotion-hopefuls Reading are up next after that 6-0 loss away at Watford.

A response is needed more than ever in terms of bouncing back after the show at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

The Hornets were on course for three points from as soon as the second minute when Ken Sema got their afternoon up and running.

A “horrible” day with an “unacceptable” performance was how Dean Holden described it after suffering the biggest loss of his early managerial career, but there is no time to stand still and point the finger as the next game quickly rolls around.

And Holden hopes his side will be fuelled up for the task, using that heavy defeat in Hertfordshire to their advantage.

Highlights: Watford v Bristol City

City will want to avoid repeat of last time they met Reading, who won 3-1 at the Madejski Stadium back in November.

City have recorded 15 points since, whereas Reading continue to fight for a play-off spot. The Royals have actually won six games in the Championship since, but have suffered only five losses in that time.

However, they do need to improve on recent form after a run of three games without a win and two consecutive defeats, after they twice threw away leading positions against Brentford and Millwall.

There are still concerns in the medical department too as Yakou Meite, who gave the Robins a torrid afternoon in the reverse fixture, is out of Tuesday’s game with a groin problem. John Swift (hamstring) is out until April and George Puscas (hernia), Liam Moore (foot) and Felipe Araruna (knee) are due back later in the month.

MATCH DETAILS

Where: Ashton Gate
When: Tuesday, February 16th, 7.45pm KO
Competition: Sky Bet Championship

Referee: Oliver Langford
Assistants: Robert Merchant and Adam Crysell
Fourth official: Daniel Middleton

DOWN MEMORY LANE

Reading 0-1 Bristol City
Madejski Stadium
Tuesday, January 28th 2020
Sky Bet Championship

Jamie Paterson struck his second City goal of the season having returned from loan at Derby, firing the Robins to a 1-0 victory over Reading and record a third consecutive win in the Sky Bet Championship.

The attacking midfielder was well placed to meet Niclas Eliasson’s cross – the winger's 11th assist of 2019/20 at the time – burying the ball past Rafael Cabral in the second half.

It had been a match of mostly half-chances but the hosts threatened with some late pressure, only the woodwork and exceptional City defending thwarted the flurry of attacks from Mark Bowen’s side.

Yet City, who fielded an unchanged XI, held on to record the win which lifted them to sixth in the Championship.