England - ChampionshipStarWelcome to the Turboscores match preview of the upcoming match between Reading and Birmingham City, taking place on Friday, 07 April 2023, at Select Car Leasing Stadium in Reading.
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Reading, Recent FormIt's fair to say Reading will have been relatively pleased with a point from their last encounter with Bristol City, a match that ended in a 1-1 draw. In that game they had 33% possession and managed 7 attempts on goal, with 2 on target, compared to Bristol City who had 18 attempts and 7 on target.
Having scored just 3 goals in their last 6 games, it will be glaringly obvious to their manager Paul Ince where he needs to focus his attentions if they are going to get more points on the table, although he will still have one eye on his defence which have shipped 11 in the same period. They are struggling defensively and as a result have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 17 games.
Results wise, their recent poor run of form has left them without a win in 6 games.
Birmingham City, Recent FormBirmingham City will be happy to take away 3 points from their last match, with an important 1-0 home win against Blackburn Rovers. Their share of possession in that meeting was 29%, while racking up 9 shots along the way, 3 of which were on target. Blackburn Rovers had 17 shots on goal with 8 on target.
It's reasonable to say they have enjoyed some decent goal scoring form of late, with 5 goals notched up in their last 6 matches, but while their offensive line is working, their defensive setup has shown cause for concern with 5 goals shipped and valuable points dropped. Away goals have been high on their agenda recently, having scored in 5 of their last 6 away league games. They will need to tighten up at the back, having failed to keep a clean sheet in all but 1 of their last 6 away games.
With 3 matches lost and only 2 wins in their last 6 away matches lately, this has not been a great spell for the team away from home.
On an individual basis, Troy Deeney has scored in each of Birmingham City's last league game away from home.
Reading suffered the disappointment of a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Birmingham City the last time they met in the league.
The Blues defence has struggled against Reading in past meetings, having conceded 1 or more goals in each of their last 7 games. The Royals have struggled to keep Birmingham at bay when these two teams have met at Select Car Leasing Stadium, during the last 3 times they have hosted Birmingham in the league, they have conceded a total of 6 goals.
Reading player Yakou Meïté will be looking to get on the scoresheet again against Birmingham, having scored 4 goals in the last 5 league meetings between the teams.
Reading manager Paul Ince has some team selection issues to consider ahead of this match. Ovie Ejaria (Knee), Junior Hoilett (Hamstring), Sam Hutchinson (Achilles tendon), Shane Long (Hamstring), Tom McIntyre (Hamstring), Yakou Meïté (Leg), Liam Moore (Foot), Baba Rahman (Ankle) and Dejan Tetek (Leg) are all currently out of contention for this game.
John Eustace has a number of injury concerns in his Birmingham squad to contend with: Jobe Bellingham (Abdominal), Tate Campbell (Hamstring), Harlee Dean (Calf), Troy Deeney (Hamstring), Gary Gardner (Groin) and Dion Sanderson (Back)
Reading Playing at home | Birmingham City Playing away from home | |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 | Goals scored | 1.1 |
| 1.1 | Goals conceded | 1.5 |
| 38' | Time first goal scored | 27' |
| 47' | Time first goal conceded | 29' |
| 2.2 | Yellow cards | 2.3 |
| 0 | Red cards | 0 |
| 3.5 | Subs used | 4.1 |
| 3-0 | Biggest victory | 2-0 |
| 3-0 | Biggest defeat | 3-0 |
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