Reading v Norwich preview
Last Updated: November 9, 2012 12:57pm
Brian McDermott: Reading are still looking for their first three-point haul
Reading will be hoping to secure their first victory of the season at the tenth time of asking when they entertain Norwich City.
Reacquainting themselves with life in the top-flight has been a tough task for the Royals, with 10 games bringing just five points.
Brian McDermott's side have, however, displayed commendable battling qualities and are proving to be difficult to beat, with only one setback suffered in their last five outings.
The task now is to start turning one point into three, with those at the Madejski Stadium aware that plaudits earned for hard work will not steer you clear of trouble come the end of the season.
Norwich could be the ideal opponents for Reading this weekend, as the Canaries have a tendency to struggle on the road.
Chris Hughton's team have gone 38 games since they last kept a Premier League clean sheet on the road and have won only one of their last 11 away from Carrow Road.
Reading
Reading goalkeeper Adam Federici is in line for a recall on Saturday.
The Australian international is likely to return with current first-choice Alex McCarthy being ruled out for a number of weeks after suffering a shoulder injury in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Queens Park Rangers.
McDermott is also without midfield duo Jem Karacan (knee) and Danny Guthrie (thigh), although the latter could return as early as next week.
Forward Noel Hunt is available after shaking off a calf problem.
Norwich
Norwich defender Russell Martin's back injury will continue to be assessed ahead of a trip to the Madejski.
Centre-half Michael Turner (dead leg) and full-back Javier Garrido (knee) both went off during last weekend's 1-0 home win over Stoke, but are expected to be available.
Striker Harry Kane, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, is on course to return before Christmas following foot surgery.
Opta stats
- The Canaries haven't won away from home in the top-flight and kept a clean sheet since a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace in December 1994.
- Norwich have scored a higher percentage of headed goals than any other team in the top-flight (38 per cent).
- The Royals have the lowest passing accuracy in the top-flight this season; just 68 per cent of their passes have found a teammate so far.
Previous game's starting line-ups
4-4-2
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21
McCarthy
-
2
Gunter
-
15
Morrison
-
17
Gorkss
-
27
Kelly
-
12
McCleary
-
4
Karacan
-
20
Guthrie
-
11
McAnuff
-
7
Pogrebnyak
-
19
Robson-Kanu
Team taken from Reading vs West Ham (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 19th May 2013
4-5-1
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1
Ruddy
-
3
Whittaker
-
2
Martin R
-
24
Bennett R
-
18
Garrido
-
7
Snodgrass
-
4
Johnson B
-
8
Howson
-
12
Pilkington
-
14
Hoolahan
-
9
Holt
Team taken from Norwich vs Man City (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 19th May 2013
Latest Poll
Matches
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Barclays Premier League
Table
Barclays Premier League
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester United | 38 | 89 |
| 2 | Manchester City | 38 | 78 |
| 3 | Chelsea | 38 | 75 |
| 4 | Arsenal | 38 | 73 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 38 | 72 |
| 6 | Everton | 38 | 63 |
| 7 | Liverpool | 38 | 61 |
| 8 | West Bromwich Albion | 38 | 49 |
| 9 | Swansea City | 38 | 46 |
| 10 | West Ham United | 38 | 46 |
| 11 | Norwich City | 38 | 44 |
| 12 | Fulham | 38 | 43 |
| 13 | Stoke City | 38 | 42 |
| 14 | Southampton | 38 | 41 |
| 15 | Aston Villa | 38 | 41 |
| 16 | Newcastle United | 38 | 41 |
| 17 | Sunderland | 38 | 39 |
| 18 | Wigan Athletic | 38 | 36 |
| 19 | Reading | 38 | 28 |
| 20 | Queens Park Rangers | 38 | 25 |
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