READING will welcome Watford to the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, looking to kick-start their stuttering league campaign.
Since leaving Vicarage Road in June to take control of the Royals, manager Brendan Rodgers has had to acquire fresh faces after some big names left the Berkshire outfit over the summer.
His side have picked up just six points from the first possible 24 and despite the term being only eight games old, Rodgers will be looking to pick up form quickly.
The Berkshire outfit have registered just one victory so far, coming at Oakwell as an Alex Pearce strike and a brace from Noel Hunt proved to be enough to beat third-from-bottom Barnsley.
Since that result, Rodgers' men have struggled to pick up points and surrendered a 2-0 half time lead at London Road last Saturday, as Championship new boys Peterborough scored a 91 minute winner, to heap further pressure on the new boss.
Reading have found the net six times in the Championship this season, and ex-Hornet Grzegorz Rasiak will be keen to open his account for the Royals having joined from Southampton, to reunite himself with Rodgers.
Ex-Hornet Jobi McAnuff will also be keen to face his former employers, having left Malky Mackay's side as the August transfer window drew to a close.
Another former Watford midfielder, Brynjar Gunnarsson will also face his former club, after Steve Coppell signed the Icelander from Vicarage Road in July 2005.
Team News:
McAnuff played 60 minutes for the reserves in midweek, helping them to a 2-0 victory over Southampton.
The former Watford winger is expected to be involved on Saturday, to make his eagerly anticipated Reading debut since joining from Vicarage Road.
Republic of Ireland international striker Shane Long picked up an ankle injury whilst away with the national side earlier this month and remains sidelined for the visit of Mackay's side.
After a lengthy absence, club captain Ivar Ingimarsson has spent the previous two fixtures on the bench. The Icelandic international has recovered from a knee problem and is in contention for a start against the Hornets.
Exciting prospect Hal Robson-Kanu missed the reserve game in midweek and it is expected the youngster won't be risked on Saturday.
Head To Head:
Watford have had mixed fortunes at the Madejski Stadium in recent years, suffering a crushing 4-0 defeat last time out, but claiming a 2-0 victory in the Premiership when the sides met in 2007.
Since the first fixture between the two clubs in February 1921, both clubs have won 42 times, with 22 draws.
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The 'ghost goal'...what will happen this time the two teams meet? |
When the two sides met at Vicarage Road in September 2008, Reading were infamously awarded a "ghost goal" by referee Stuart Atwell, despite the ball not actually crossing the line.
Hornetsbet with bet365.com:
Home win: 11/10
Draw: 9/4
Away win: 5/2
By James O'Connell
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