After the final international break of the season, Championship teams are back in action on Saturday as they hurtle towards the run in.
Barring games in hand, eight matches for each team will determine promotion, play offs and relegation.
One of the major games of the weekend is relegation threatened Reading against play off chasing Preston North End.
Alex Neil’s Lilywhites sit in seventh place, only off the top six on goal difference.
Reading, however, find themselves in a much more perilous position – after their 0-0 draw against Stoke on March 16, Jose Gomes’s side are in 21st place, just one point above the bottom three.
The Royals started the season poorly and Paul Clement was sacked after a 2-0 home defeat to Sheffield United in December.
His replacement was Jose Manuel Gomes, the Portuguese boss leaving his home country & Rio Ave to take the vacant post at the Madejski.
Results have steadily improved and after a strong January there is the feeling that the Royals can avoid the drop.
They face a tough test on Saturday against a Preston side who have gone 12 games unbeaten.
North End had an excellent January, bringing in a total of five players, including Brad Potts from Barnsley for a reported seven figure fee.
They also fended off several Championship and League One clubs to secure the signature of prolific Exeter forward Jayden Stockley.
The Whites have won their last five games on the road, including wins over top half Middlesbrough and rivals Blackburn Rovers.
I spoke to Reading fan Tom Amies about what he expects from the game, his favourite memories of the fixture & his predictions for the remainder of Reading’s campaign:
It is safe to say Reading haven’t had the greatest season up to this point, what do you think are the main reasons behind the struggle?
“I personally think that confidence was very low coming into this season, both that of the players and the supporters, and heads seemed to drop very early on.
“The supporters started getting on their backs and it all started to turn sour. Fortunately, Jose Gomes has lifted the mood significantly.”
Are you confident that the club can beat the drop, given what looks like a tough run-in against mainly top half sides?
“It changes every week. After the result against Wigan, I was convinced we were staying up. And then some results went against us and I’m not so sure.
“It’ll certainly be tough and it’ll divide the boys from the men in the Reading camp.”
Reading have had a good record in matches against Preston at the Madejski in recent times, what are your best memories of the fixture?
“My best memory against Preston is the opening day in 2017. Jaap Stam’s first game in charge, crowd was bouncing.
“John Swift converted a nicely worked corner routine, it was brilliant. Really started the season off nicely.”
On paper, Reading had a solid January window with the likes of Nelson Oliveira and Lewis Baker signing on. How would you rate the signings Jose Gomes has made?
“January was solid for Reading. Unfortunately Nelson Oliveira is likely to miss the rest of the season, but was still a very good acquisition.
“Lewis Baker is getting better with every game, and Emiliano Martinez is an incredible goalkeeper. Matt Miazga is a definite improvement on Tiago Ilori.
“Ovie Ejaria has really gone under the radar. The ball seems to just stick at his feet and he manages to get out of really tight situations with ease.
“If I was to give our business a rate out of 10, it would be a nine.”
What type of playing style has the side adopted, firstly under Clement & then Gomes?
“Clement’s style of play was very negative. Lots of passing backward. No real attacking threat. It almost looked as if he had sent the team out with the aim to get a draw.
“Gomes, however, has brought a much more positive style of play, looking to play out from the back and play ‘beautiful football’, as he calls it.”
Who is your one player to watch and why?
“My one player to watch is Ovie Ejaria. He has been out injured recently, but should be fit after the break. His ability to keep the ball under pressure and get out of tight situations really improves Reading’s game and creates more space in the middle of the park.
“When positioned out wide, he likes to drift in the middle due to his lack of pace. But when he’s in the middle, he really makes things happen and he has been a great signing for the Royals.”
Finally, what is your expected lineup & score prediction?
(4-2-3-1)
Emi Martinez; Andy Yiadom, Liam Moore, Matt Miazga, Tyler Blackett; Lewis Baker, John Swift; Callum Harriott, Ovie Ejaria, Mo Barrow; Yakou Meite
“My score prediction is 2-1 to Reading. I know Preston have been on a good run recently and I think they will be a tough test for the Royals, but I have the confidence that they will go out there and get the three points.”
Statistics
• Since Preston were promoted back to the Championship in 2015, they have won four & lost four games against Reading
• The Royals won the meeting between the two sides earlier on the season, Leandro Bacuna scoring an 81st minute winner in a 3-2 victory
• Reading last did the double over Preston in 2005/06 – the season they won the Championship title
• Preston did the double over Saturday opponents in 2015/16, with a 1-0 home win and a 2-1 success at the Madejski
• Alan Browne is Preston’s top scorer this season with 11 goals. Reading’s Yakou Meite leads the scoring charts with seven strikes.
Thanks to Tom Amies for answering the questions – you can follow him on Twitter @tomamies8
RS Sport 