Reading v Swansea City Competition - Sky Bet Championship Venue - Madejski Stadium Date - 25 April 2021 Kick off - Noon Following their hugely disappointing and frustrating performance and defeat at home to QPR, next up for Steve Cooper’s increasingly beleaguered Swansea squad is a trip to Reading - the only team who could deprive the Swans of a Play-Off place. On Tuesday evening, the Swans’ slim automatic promotion hopes were all but wiped out after Lyndon Dykes' last-minute winner for Queens Park Rangers. Dykes steered home to give QPR victory and leave Swansea needing a miracle to overhaul second-placed Watford. Watford's win at Norwich means Steve Cooper's side are nine points behind the Hornets with three games to play. Wayne Routledge hit the post for the hosts, while Ilias Chair twice hit the woodwork for Rangers. However, what the Jack Army were shocked by was the apparent lack of urgency shown on and off the pitch in a performance which was bereft of pace, width, flair and desire. Rangers climb to eighth after they deservedly secured a second successive away win. The following evening, Reading fell further adrift of the play-off places after a goalless draw at Luton Town. The clearer chances of the game came Luton's way, with George Moncur denied the opportunity to win it late on by a smart save from Rafael, while Jordan Clark also volleyed narrowly wide in the first half. Ovie Ejaria had a second-half shot deflected wide of goal, while John Swift's late direct free-kick was nearly spilled by Simon Sluga. Reading's draw coupled with Barnsley's win at Huddersfield meant the gap between them in seventh and Barnsley in sixth was stretched to six points with three games to play. The Swans have played Reading on 82 previous occasions, with the overall results equal - 33 wins apiece with 16 draws. Without doubt the most memorable previous match was the Championship Play-Off Final 10 years ago which saw the Swans run out deserved 4-2 victors. In the corresponding fixture last season, the Swans ran out 4-1 winners and in the process secured a Play-Off at the expense of a Forest team that imploded - in much the same way as the Swans are threatening to do themselves this season. Turning to Sunday, given that a draw is all that the Swans need to secure their Play-Off spot, I am anticipating that Cooper will adopt a largely defensive approach and set out for a 0-0 draw with the hope of sneaking a goal. However, Reading will go into the game knowing that nothing other than a win will be sufficient to maintain their outside hopes of securing a Play-Off place. On the basis that I expect Cooper to set out for a draw, and recognising that it’s literally a must win game for Reading, I’m going for a 3-1 home win. I sincerely hope I’m wrong!
Thanks again Taff....I think the best we can expect unfortunately is a no score draw as I can’t see how we can score when we play with a team ser up not to lose on the day...Cooper out
Great write up again thanks Taff. But.... Bigger more difficult decisions to be made by myself... Corned beef and tomato sandwich... Or... Duck egg and chive sandwich for work tomorrow? 2-2
According to Coops press conference we are going to try and win at Reading...ever the optimist but does he realise we need to score goals.....
Brentford beat the Muff 1-0 and move onto 3rd Barnsley winning 1-0 Swansea currently 6th If it stays like this, Brentford in the semis again ..... assuming Reading don’t catch us
Brentford fans want to play us: ‘Great result, played with some fight made the difference..... hope we play Swansea and stuff em!’
We’re the weakest team currently in a playoff place. When I say currently I’m not convinced we will make them.
For Reading to win their last 3 games and us to lose the last 3 games is an unlikely scenario to play out. Win tomorrow and we're back up to third.