Probable Lineups

4-5-1
Reading
4-2-3-1
Chelsea
© WhoScored.com

Probable Lineups Statistical Comparision

(41) 16 Goals 46 (72)
(28) 15 Assists 28 (50)
(6.6) 6.7 Average Ratings 6.9 (6.7)
28.5 Average Age 27.1
181.9 Average Height (cm) 182.5
(0.8) 0.8 Shots pg 1.4 (1.2)
(42%) 41% Aerial Duel Success 54% (51%)
(0.4) 0.3 Dribbles pg 0.6 (0.4)
(1.5) 1.2 Tackles pg 1.2 (1.5)
* Values in brackets (x) are overall player statistics in Premier League.

Missing Players

Player Reason Status Rating
Jason Roberts Out 6.4
Alex McCarthy Out 7.16
Player Reason Status Rating
Oriol Romeu Out 6.43
Eden Hazard Out 7.3
David Luiz Doubtful 7.16
Petr Cech Doubtful 6.92
John Obi Mikel Out 6.7
Victor Moses Out 6.53

Team News

Reading
  • Brian McDermott will only be without Alex McCarthy and Jason Roberts for the visit of the European champions, so he will probably stick with a familiar looking team particularly given recent results.
  • The Royals won 2-1 at Newcastle in their last game and could field the same XI that played in that game.
  • That would mean Pavel Pogrebnyak starting up front on his own, though Adam Le Fondre may be disappointed not to start having come off the bench to score twice at St James' Park.
Chelsea
  • Chelsea face some problems in terms of team selection at the moment, particularly in midfield, with Eden Hazard suspended, Romeu injured, Mikel and Moses at AFCON and David Luiz a doubt.
  • If Luiz doesn't make it, Lampard and Ramires will play in defensive midfield, with Ryan Bertrand likely to play on the left.
  • Demba Ba and Fernando Torres will be in direct competition to start up front, while John Terry is available again but this game may come too soon after Brentford.

Prediction

  • Three wins and only 1 loss in their last 5 games have seen Reading jump above Wigan in the table and has given the Royals renewed belief that they can espace relegation this season, against all the odds.
  • In the last week, Chelsea crashed out of the Capital One Cup to Swansea and very nearly the FA Cup at the hands of Brentford, but for a late Fernando Torres equaliser.
  • Given Reading's recent form and Chelsea's potential absentees, this could be a great chance for the home team to provide an upset, Chelsea's class cannot be doubted, and the likes of Juan Mata should find holes to exploit in a hard-fought Chelsea win.
Prediction:
Reading
1
2
Chelsea
© WhoScored.com

Latest Comments

 
  • kookey9

    Wow...Reading's manager is a great choicer!!!!

    Le Fondre 2 Goals, Akpan 2 Assists..both of them are substitutes

    15 weeks ago
     +1   Report
  • Oscar360

    reading no chance to shot??just what strong chelsea's deff??

    15 weeks ago
        Report
  • hkd

    Reading are having a good run of form and won't be such a strool for Chelsea as the bookmakers are suggesting. Expecting Chelsea to grind out a 2-1 victory.

    16 weeks ago
        Report
  • JD70

    I don't think Reading should be a problem for Chelsea, but we'll see.

    16 weeks ago
     +1  -1 Report
  • footballgod

    Chelsea should win by 2 goals

    16 weeks ago
     +2  -3 Report
  • Chris667

    1-1 draw

    16 weeks ago
     +4   Report
See all 6 comments

Head to Head Stats

R Team W D L Pts Form
3 Chelsea 22 9 7 75 dwwdww
19 Reading 6 10 22 28 dldwll

Top Players

Reading
Chelsea
S. Morrison 6.97
A. Mariappa 6.94
N. Shorey 6.93
E. Hazard 7.3
J. Mata 7.24
D. Luiz 7.16
A. L. Fondre 12
H. Robson-Kanu 7
P. Pogrebnyak 5
F. Lampard 15
J. Mata 12
E. Hazard 9
J. McAnuff 7
N. Shorey 4
I. Harte 3
J. Mata 12
E. Hazard 11
F. Torres 6

Match Forecast

There will be a low number of cards shown  
Chelsea will dominate possession  
Reading will make a comeback if they go behind  
Chelsea will score a long shot  
Chelsea will create many scoring chances  
Chelsea will score from a wingplay situation  
* Match forecast is generated from clashes in team characters.

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