Take a look at our handy guide to Ipswich Town’s Championship televised clash with Reading.
When and where?
Friday, 8pm at the Madejski Stadium
What’s the team news?
Mick McCarthy has the strongest squad available to him in weeks, with Christophe Berra, David McGoldrick and Daryl Murphy all returning from injury for the televised visit. Kevin Bru and Teddy Bishop are both now back in training but this game will come too soon for them.
For the Royals, Matej Vydra looks set to make his debut, having signed on loan from Watford. Defender Paul McShane is a doubt with a back injury.
Who is their manager?
Steve Clarke has been quietly going about his business in Berkshire, after replacing Nigel Adkins last December. He guided the Royals to an FA Cup semi-final last season, which they lost to Arsenal, before finishing 19th in the Championship.
How have they been getting on so far this season?
Reading have won one, lost one and drawn three of their five league games so far, with their only victory coming last time out at Brentford. Like Town, they’re through to the third round of the League Cup, having beaten Colchester and Portsmouth to set up a home clash with Everton.
Who has the best record in this fixture?
It’s all very tight when it comes to the overall record between the two sides, with Ipswich winning 23, Reading 21 and nine draws.
What happened last time they met?
Reading came to Suffolk in February and left with a 1-0 win, thanks to Jamie Mackie’s goal after just 14, having also claimed the spoils when the two sides met on in August of last season. That game also ended in a 1-0 win for the Royals, with Jake Taylor grabbing the winner in the first half.
Who is the ref?
Roger East was the man in the middle when the Blues were eliminated from last season’s play-offs at the hands of Norwich, sending off Christophe Berra for handball in the second half.
He’s had a quiet start to the season, though, taking charge of only two games. He’s managed a red card, though, having dismissed Enda Stephens of Portsmouth.
What’s the key battle on the pitch?
Reading have plenty of options in attack, so how Ipswich defence cope with the likes of Vydra, Orlando Sa, Ola John, Simon Cox and Lucas Piazon is going to hold the key to this game.
What are the bookies saying?
For the first time this season the Blues are the outsiders with Bet365, heading into the game as 13/5 shots compared with Reading at 5/4. Six home players have equal or better odds than David McGoldrick, who is 7/1 to open the scoring, with Jonas Knudsen an intriguing 40/1 shot.
Anything else worth knowing?
The Royals have failed to score in each of their last six home games, spreading back to last season, while Town have scored in each of their last 10 away trips. Omens are looking good.
One last thing.
Ipswich will be wearing a newly revealed orange kit for this one, due to a kit clash. It’s not available to buy though so your best hope of getting one is probably through Larsen Toure...
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