Fan Preview: Reading Vs Newcastle

Newcastle continue their charge towards the Championship title tomorrow when they travel to the Madejski stadium to play their game in hand over West Brom. If the Geordies win, they will be nine points clear and even stronger favourites to clinch the title.

After their crushing victory over Blackpool on Saturday, Chris Hughton’s men are definitely in for a tougher test against Reading. Brian McDermott has turned the start of season relegation fighters into play-off long shots and Newcastle will have to continue their brilliant form if they are to take three of the four points they need to lift the title.

Newcastle are unbeaten in 13 games and Reading have only lost two of their last 15 matches, meaning this clash should be a juicy one!

Reading have been dealt a blow by the F.A though, with captain Matt Mills serving a four-match suspension after his appeal against a red card he picked up against Ipswich was rejected. Apart from that, the Reading squad is at full strength to test themselves against Premier League opposition. In the Royal’s ranks is former Toon loanee Zurab Khizanishvili who returned to Blackburn from Newcastle, only to be shipped out to Reading weeks later.

Newcastle were without star left-back Jose Enrique for the win over Blackpool but the Spaniard should have recovered from his virus in time to play against McDermott’s men. Tamas Kadar deputised for Enrique on Saturday but had to be taken off himself with a thigh strain and will miss out tomorrow. The Hungarian will join longer-term absentees Fitz Hall and Steven Taylor on the sidelines.

Last time these two met, it was the Geordies who ran out comfortable 3-0 winners but this time round it’s going to be a lot harder against McDermott’s men. Shola Ameobi scored a hat-trick that day and he should play some part in tomorrow’s game, whether he has the same impact is unlikely against an altogether different Reading outfit.

Whichever team Hughton decides to put out against Reading, it is sure to be a tough game and I can see Reading grabbing something if the Geordies aren’t at their best. The travelling Toon Army will be doing their best to inspire a victory, with all 4,000 tickets selling out before Monday. Chris Hughton’s team could be champions by Saturday evening if all results go to plan, but even if they don’t, it’s surely only a matter of time now.

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