Reading host Brentford as the Championship’s promotion race heats up

Reading welcome Brentford to the Madejski Stadium on Wednesday evening in what promises to be one of the Championship’s most pivotal encounters of the season, as the struggle for promotion intensifies.

This fixture was originally slated for Saturday 16^th January, only to fall victim to the ongoing pandemic as Brentford had reported a handful of positive tests.

Reading are unbeaten in seven league outings and currently occupy fourth position, six points and two positions behind their visitors from Hounslow.

In their most recent contest, the Royals were held to a goalless stalemate away to Stoke City. In trying conditions, the visitors were unable to find a breakthrough against a side winless in nine.

Steven Fletcher contortedly arrowed home for the Potters after half an hour but was adjudged to be offside.

In a game of few chances, Reading’s clearest sight of goal arrived via Ovie Ejaria. The forward tried his luck from the edge of the box, however, Stoke stopper Angus Gunn was equal to it, producing an assured save to deny the 23-year-old.

The Potters almost clinched maximum points in the final minute with Jacob Brown directing a firm downward header, only for Reading’s man between the sticks, Rafael, to divert it to safety.

Defeat would have been harsh on the Berkshire side, and although they were unable to put Michael O’Neil’s out of sorts charges to the sword, the result maintained their impressive streak without defeat.

Speaking to Reading’s official website ahead of this one, manager Veljko Paunovic refused to undersell the fixture’s significance, with the former overseer of MLS side, Chicago Fire, remarking: “It is a very important game of course, one of the most important in the season so far. It’s a hard stretch of games coming up, the pressure is building, but we’re not going to put extra pressure on our shoulders.”

Moving onto the away side, Brentford are in formidable form, avoiding defeat in a staggering 20 matches, a run of results which has the West Londoners firmly fixated upon potential promotion to the Premier League once more.

The Bees have compiled three victories on the bounce, seeing off fellow promotion hopefuls in Bristol City and Middlesbrough, whilst also demolishing Wycombe Wanderers, breaching the Chairboys rear guard relentlessly en route to a remarkable 7-2 rout.

On Saturday, Thomas Frank’s squad made the lengthy journey to Teeside, doing battle with Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough. The galling commute proved to be fruitful indeed, despite falling behind.

Boro’s new addition, Neeskens Kebano, whipped in a delicious delivery from a short corner routine, resulting in pandemonium ensuing in the visitor’s box. The ball ricocheted off Ethan Pinnock, before a final, fateful touch from Brentford goalkeeper David Raya – resulting in a desperately unfortunate own goal.

To their credit, the Bees refused to become despondent, responding in emphatic fashion. Having held the lead in excess of 30 minutes, Middlesbrough’s fortitude was broken. Leading goal scorer Ivan Toney, latched onto Tariqe Fosu’s pullback before side-footing home.

The hosts grazed the post prior to halftime and were made to rue their failure to convert in the second stanza. That man again, Ivan Toney, played a part, this time in the role of assister. The ruthless finisher displayed his proficiency as a well-rounded attacker, cleverly glancing into the path of Vitaly Janelt, who lashed home from 18 yards out.

Just five minutes later, the outcome was all but confirmed, as the Bees exerted dominance proved too much to withstand for Boro. Mathias Jensen collected possession following a Paddy McNair slip, proceeding to race forward, ultimately veering round Marcus Bettinelli and coolly slotting away.

Inevitably, Toney was not done for the day, adding further gloss to the scoreline. Deploying his rigid frame to full effect, outmuscling defenders in an aerial duel, allowing him to stab inside the post for an astonishing sixth goal in three games.

A win at the Madejski would propel Thomas Frank’s side to the top of the table, two points clear of current pacesetters, Norwich City.

Wednesday’s matchup features a fascinating matchup between two of the division’s most deadly marksmen. Brentford’s Ivan Toney leads the way in the race for the golden boot, notching 21 strikes thus far.

Recruited to replace the departing Ollie Watkins, the physically dominant forward has settled into life in the capital seamlessly, proving to be an unstoppable force – adding seven assists to accompany his goalscoring feats.

On the other side, Reading depend upon Lucas Joao for their attacking exploits. The Portuguese has accounted for 15 strikes himself, good enough for the Championship’s third-best individual total. His 2020/21 campaign has already proved to be drastically more fruitful than the last. The forward converted six times in 19 appearances.

Team News

Reading pair Sam Baldock and Ovie Ejaria had been nursing minor injuries but both appeared in the matchday squad at Stoke and should be available for selection once again.

Romanian striker George Puscas remains out after undergoing surgery to arrest a groin strain, however, he continues to progress positively and is likely to return to training next week.

Club captain Liam Moore continues to miss out after suffering a fracture to his left foot during the previous clash with Brentford. This fixture will also come too soon for Felipe Araruna. The Brazilian should, however, be available to be called upon by the end of February, along with previously mentioned teammates Puscas and Moore.

Brentford are likely to be without the services of Christian Norgaard and Shandon Baptiste. On a brighter note, key forward, Bryan Mbeumo returned from injury at the Riverside and chalked up an assist. He will hope to continue his resurgence to full fitness and feature from the start in Berkshire.

Head-to-head

If Reading are to keep pace with in-form Brentford and remain in the automatic promotion picture, they must address their recent Bees hoodoo – the Royals have succumbed to defeat to the Londoners on three consecutive occasions.

The sides last met in December as Brentford recorded a comprehensive 3-1 victory. The Bees raced into a 1-0 lead in the 11^th minute with Sergi Canos teeing up Mathias Jensen, whose effort was fumbled over the line by Rafael in the Reading goal.

Things soon went from bad to worse for the visitors as Josh DaSilva set Bryan Mbeumo free with an incisive pass. Mbeumo then sumptuously curled the ball into the top corner from long range.

A short six minutes later, it was three, Mbeumo collecting his brace, swivelling sharply on the edge of the box before astutely slotting low and away from the keeper. Reading grabbed a consolation in the second half as Sone Aluko headed in Michael Olise’s centre just three minutes after being introduced, but, in truth, the contest was put to bed after what was a devastating opening period.

Wednesday evening’s encounter will be the 97^th between the teams. Reading boast an ever so slight advantage in the overall stakes, 37 wins to Brentford’s 35. The additional 25 fixtures have resulted in stalemates.

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