Cardiff City travel to the Madejski Stadium to face an improving Reading side, with the Bluebirds looking to move to within 2 points of league leaders Wolves.
Both sides enter tonight’s match in good form. After a slow start to the season following their play off final heartache, the Royals have lost just once in their last seven games. The run includes back to back emphatic victories, beating Barnsley 3-0 and Sunderland 3-1.
Cardiff’s form has remained consistent throughout the season, and has excelled in their last four. The Bluebirds are in a run of four consecutive victories, including wins in their previous two away games, 1-0 at Barnsley and 2-0 at Nottingham Forest.
With a victory today, Reading are able to move into the top half of the Championship for the first time this season.
Meanwhile, Cardiff are able to open up a healthy margin to the teams behind them with a victory. If they were to take home the three points, City would move six points ahead of third place Bristol City.
Reading midfielder John Swift is still recovering from a hamstring injury and is in light training, meaning he is unavailable for this match. George Evans (thigh) and Garath McCleary (groin) are edging closer to first team returns but tonight’s clash is expected to arrive too soon.
Kenneth Zohore remains a long term absentee for Cardiff with an ankle injury, and is expected to be out till the new year. Aron Gunnarsson (ankle) and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (leg) will face late tests.
Official team news has been announced:
TEAM NEWS | Starting XI unchanged for fourth game running as we meet Cardiff under floodlights…
Starting XI: Mannone, Gunter, Bacuna, McShane (c), Moore, Van den Berg, Edwards, Kelly, Aluko, Barrow, Kermorgant.
Subs: Jaakkola, Beerens, Ilori, Clement, Böðvarsson, Blackett, Popa pic.twitter.com/bbQyL5zqHZ— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) December 11, 2017
BREAKING TEAM NEWS: @ReadingFC vs. #CardiffCity!
Two changes as Ward & Bryson miss out through injury.
@OmarBogle9 & @Callump7 come in! #CityAsOne 🔵⚽️🔵⚽️ pic.twitter.com/QTFfw0GtNJ
— Cardiff City FC (@CardiffCityFC) December 11, 2017
Here’s how Cardiff fans reacted:
In Neil we trust
— Jeff Fieldhouse (@guildfdbluebird) December 11, 2017
just one recognised striker but a good one at that. 👍
— gareth dunning (@Gzone77) December 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/hopkins_iwan/status/940295776755953665
FFS FREE TOMLIN
— John (@jtayylorrr) December 11, 2017
Bryson is out and Tomlin still doesn't start?
— ‘ (@GasteIum) December 11, 2017
Here’s how Reading fans reacted:
https://twitter.com/clinicaldadi/status/940295380830490625
Play richards and bod ffs
— ᴀ (@Arch33s) December 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/f_gardiner1/status/940295312039653379
https://twitter.com/ccaigersmith/status/940295747320336384
