Reading look to cause upset as they welcome Premier League high flyers Sheffield United

Championship side Reading will look to cause a major upset tomorrow evening as they welcome Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United to the Madjeski Stadium.

The Royals are 16th in the Championship at present, but are now just two wins from a Wembley semi final.

Mark Bowen’s side made it to this stage after overcoming fellow Championship side Cardiff City in a replay in the fourth round.

As for the Blades, they saw off Millwall 2-0, thanks to goals from Mo Besic and Oliver Norwood to set up a tie at Reading.

The hosts will look to get the better of the Blades for the first time in four meetings, having not beating the Yorkshire club since 2013.

Team News

Reading are tracking the fitness of defenders Liam Moore and Matt Miazga prior to kick off while Chris Gunter,  Lucas Joao, Lucas Boye  are not expected to return for the tie, while defender Tom McIntyre is unlikely to feature.

As for the visitors, David McGoldrick and Lys Mousset are pushing for starts, while Wilder has admitted that he won’t make loads of changes like in the previous round.

Panos Retsos and forward Richairo Zivkovic could be involved as they look to get more minutes under their belts.

Mark Bowen quotes

“They’ll come here and produce everything they do in Premier League games,” said Bowen.

“It will be a really, really tough game for us. The whole country knows what Sheffield United are capable of now.

“Some teams might maybe take their eye off the ball a little bit and think, ‘it’s only Reading’. Sheffield United just don’t do that.

“It’s probably the biggest game of the season for us, because there is a quarter-final place at stake.”

Chris Wilder quotes

I’m looking at my players and they are at it. I’d be surprised if the attitude isn’t bang on on Tuesday because we drill it into them all the time.

“If we get beat and Reading have a great one technically or tactically, then that can happen. But mentally and physically we have to show up.”

Head-to-Head

Games played: 46

Reading wins: 17

Draws: 9

Sheffield United wins: 20