' MATCH THREAD: READING v CARDIFF CITY ' MATCH THREAD

READING v CARDIFF CITY
Championship
Saturday 28 January, 15:00
Madejski Stadium



Team news

Cardiff: McGregor, Peltier, Richards, Morrison, Bamba, Halford, Ralls, Gunnarsson, Hoilett, Healey, Zohore.

Subs: Murphy, Connolly, John, Whittingham, Noone, Kennedy, K Harris.



" CARDIFF FANS CAN PAY ON THE DAY "


" CARDIFF HAVE BEEN GIVEN 4,000 TICKETS "

TICKETS £20 ADULTS £5 UNDER 17'S & OAPS & £10 UNDER 24''S

PLUS EVEN CHEAPER FOR A FAMILY

NO RESTRICTIONS & 3pm

' 27/01/17 '

Cardiff City Support tomorrow

There’ll be more than 2,000 Bluebirds in the away section at the Madejski Stadium tomorrow

The first allocation was 2,400, still a couple of hundred left.

City were able to have up to 4,000 tickets





COME ON BLUEBIRDS,CHEAP CHEAP TICKETS


27/01/17


Neil Warnock:

Anthony Pilkington

"I don’t think he’ll play. It’s not a deep one, he did some light running but I don’t think I’ll risk him.”




' UPDATED ' 27/01/17

Ticket sales now 2,160





26/01/19

Ticket sales now 1,910

Team News

Bruno Ecuele-Manga’s involvement in the African Cup of Nations has ended after Gabon failed to get out of their group, however he still won’t feature this soon. Anthony Pilkington picked up a grade one quad strain against Burton last weekend and is unlikely to be risked with Preston to play on Tuesday.





25/01/17

City have sold just over a 1,700 tickets, big push today,Thurs & Friday


Latest News



Possible Lineups

Cardiff City

1 McGregor
6 Richards
4 Morrison
14 Bamba
2 Peltier
24 K Harris
17Gunnarsson
8 Ralls
33 Hoilett
15 Halford
26 Zohore


Reading

26 Al Habsi
2 Gunter
5 McShane
16 Moore
4 van den Berg
24 Blackett
23 Williams
38 Kelly
8 Swift
7 Beerens
12 McCleary


The Opposition



Reading

Full name Reading Football Club
Nickname(s) The Royals
Founded 1871; 146 years ago
Ground Madejski Stadium
Capacity 24,161[1]
Owner Narin Niruttinanon
Chairman Sir John Madejski
Manager Jaap Stam
League Championship

Reading Football Club is a professional association football club based in Reading, Berkshire, England. The team play in the Championship, the second tier of English football.

Reading are nicknamed The Royals, due to Reading's location in the Royal County of Berkshire, though they were previously known as The Biscuitmen, due to the town's association with Huntley and Palmers. Established in 1871, the club is one of the oldest teams in England, but did not join The Football League until 1920, and had never played in the top tier of English football league system before the 2006–07 season. The club competed in the 2012–13 Premier League season, having gained promotion at the end of the 2011–12 season after winning the Championship, but were relegated after just one season back in the top flight.

The club played at Elm Park for 102 years between 1896 and 1998. In 1998 the club moved to the new Madejski Stadium, which is named after the club's co-chairman Sir John Madejski.

The club holds the record for the number of successive league wins at the start of a season, with a total of 13 wins at the start of the 1985–86 Third Division campaign and also the record for the number of points gained in the professional league season with 106 points in the 2005–06 Football League Championship campaign. Reading then finished eighth in the 2006–07 Premier League, their first ever season as a top flight club.


2016/17 Results

Cardiff

TUE 24 JAN 2017 - CHAMPIONSHIP Brighton 1 - 0 Cardiff City
SAT 21 JAN 2017 - CHAMPIONSHIP Cardiff City 1 - 0 Burton Albion
SAT 14 JAN 2017 - CHAMPIONSHIP Bristol City 2 - 3 Cardiff City
SUN 8 JAN 2017 - FA CUP Cardiff City 1 - 2 Fulham


Reading

TUE 24 JAN 2017 - CHAMPIONSHIP Reading 1 - 0 Fulham
SAT 21 JAN 2017 - CHAMPIONSHIP Derby County 3 - 2 Reading
THU 12 JAN 2017 - CHAMPIONSHIP Reading 0 - 1 Queens Park Rangers
SAT 7 JAN 2017 - FA CUP Manchester United 4 - 0 Reading


Recent meetings

2016/2017 Sat 27 Aug Cardiff City 0 - 1 Reading League
2015/2016 Sat 19 Mar Reading 1 - 1 Cardiff City League
2015/2016 Sat 07 Nov Cardiff City 2 - 0 Reading League
2014/2015 Sat 04 Apr Reading 1 - 1 Cardiff City League
2014/2015 Sat 24 Jan Cardiff City 1 - 2 Reading F.A. Cup
2014/2015 Fri 21 Nov Cardiff City 2 - 1 Reading League


Previous Highlights




Match Odds

Cardiff 5/2
Draw 5/2
Reading 5/4


The Madejski




Key facts

Club: Reading FC
Opening: 1998
Capacity: 24,161 seats


History and description

Madejski Stadium replaced Reading’s previous ground Elm Park. It came at a cost of £50 million. The stadium opened on 22 August 1998 with a match between Reading and Luton Town (3-0), though the official opening was a few weeks later.

Madejski Stadium is named after chairman of the club John Madejski. It got built on the site of a household waste dump, and as a result one can find many metallic posts around the stadium that let off the underground methane gases.

In the mid 2000s, plans were made for the expansion of Madejski Stadium to a capacity of potentially 37,000 seats, however these plans were abandoned after Reading relegated to the Championship in 2008.

Madejski Stadium is also the home of rugby club London Irish.


Tickets

Tickets available to current Season Ticket Holders and Gold / Junior Bluebird Members.

Seating Ticket Prices
Adults: £20.00
Seniors 65 & Over: £13.00
18-24yrs: £10.00
17yrs & Under: £5.00

Family Ticket Prices – Limited Available
Two Adults + Two 17yrs & Under: £42.00
Two Adults + One 17yrs & Under: £39.00
One Adult + Two 17yrs & Under: £26.00
One Adult + One 17yrs & Under: £22.00

Tickets can be purchased in person at the CCS Ticket Office situated in the Grandstand, next to Corporate Entrance 2.

Alternatively, you can call the Stadium Ticket Office on 0845 345 1400. The Ticket Office is open from 9am to 5:30pm on Monday to Friday, and 9am to 3pm on non match-day Saturdays.

The easiest way is to book online - http://www.eticketing.co.uk/cardiffcity


Guess the Score / Attendance
Post your predicted score/attendance below

Reading 1 City 1

City to win 2-1

'City's twitter page just tweeted that we had sold over 1700 as of today. Should hit 2000 maybe even 2500z

Do you think we'll be able to pay on the gate/day? Won't know until last minute if I can make the trip or not

2-1 City.

Do you think we'll be able to pay on the gate/day? Won't know until last minute if I can make the trip or not

It's usually a last minute decision by reading. Why they leave it so late I don't know. Ring Reading ticket office and ask them is your best bet. If not I'm sure you'll get a spare ticket on here.

Do you think we'll be able to pay on the gate/day? Won't know until last minute if I can make the trip or not

It's usually a last minute decision by reading. Why they leave it so late I don't know. Ring Reading ticket office and ask them is your best bet. If not I'm sure you'll get a spare ticket on here.

Its 50/50 on that decision, yet for Reading fans its pay on the day.

26/01/17

Team News

Bruno Ecuele-Manga’s involvement in the African Cup of Nations has ended after Gabon failed to get out of their group, however he still won’t feature this soon. Anthony Pilkington picked up a grade one quad strain against Burton last weekend and is unlikely to be risked with Preston to play on Tuesday.

READING PLAYER CALLING ON THEIR FANS,BACK US MORE


Goalkeeper calling on fans ahead of Cardiff meeting

The Royals head into Saturday’s meeting with Cardiff in the hope of earning back-to-back home wins – and stopper Ali Al-Habsi believes that the team’s performance deserves backing from the Madejski Stadium faithful.

Ali’s spot-kick save was the crescendo of a lively game in a vibrant atmosphere on Tuesday evening as the Royals got back to winning ways against Cardiff.

And, with the Royals well-positioned in the league table as we continue to eat into the second half of the campaign, the Omani is calling for more of the same on Saturday.

“We really need every single supporter in the stadium now,” said Ali. “The players deserve more because we have been all season in the top six – and right now we’re in third. We need more – those percentages come from the fans.

“The way they supported us against Fulham was fantastic, and that’s what we need. We need them even more on Saturday.

“We all work together. We do our job on the field, and the supporters do their job in the stands. We all work together for Reading.”

Do you think we'll be able to pay on the gate/day? Won't know until last minute if I can make the trip or not

It's usually a last minute decision by reading. Why they leave it so late I don't know. Ring Reading ticket office and ask them is your best bet. If not I'm sure you'll get a spare ticket on here.

Its 50/50 on that decision, yet for Reading fans its pay on the day.

I took your advice nubbsy, called reading ticket office and they confirmed it will be pay on the day for Cardiff City Fans. Great news!

Do you think we'll be able to pay on the gate/day? Won't know until last minute if I can make the trip or not

It's usually a last minute decision by reading. Why they leave it so late I don't know. Ring Reading ticket office and ask them is your best bet. If not I'm sure you'll get a spare ticket on here.

Its 50/50 on that decision, yet for Reading fans its pay on the day.

I took your advice nubbsy, called reading ticket office and they confirmed it will be pay on the day for Cardiff City Fans. Great news!

Brilliant News

Reading view before Cardiff City game

Some usual pre-match non committal quotes from an opposition player here...

This time it’s Reading player Roy Beerens

We have an idea of how we want to play and we continue it every game. Some games maybe we have a different system but we know what goals we want to reach.
Concentrating on ourselves and our own game is the most important thing. Obviously you look at how they play, but the most important thing is that you do the things that you train for and make the most of your qualities as a team. We are aiming to do that again on Saturday and we’ll see how it goes.
Roy Beerens

' UPDATED '
26/01/19
Ticket sales now 1,910

Do you think we'll be able to pay on the gate/day? Won't know until last minute if I can make the trip or not

It's usually a last minute decision by reading. Why they leave it so late I don't know. Ring Reading ticket office and ask them is your best bet. If not I'm sure you'll get a spare ticket on here.

Its 50/50 on that decision, yet for Reading fans its pay on the day.

I took your advice nubbsy, called reading ticket office and they confirmed it will be pay on the day for Cardiff City Fans. Great news!

Brilliant News

Just been told it might not be?

Cardiff City travel to the Madejski Stadium on Saturday to face high-flying Reading in what will be the Bluebirds' penultimate game before the January transfer window closes.

Neil Warnock has admitted that he hopes to further strengthen his squad in the final days of the winter window as he looks to continue to pull the Bluebirds away from the Championship's relegation zone.

Striker Rickie Lambert had been linked with a move away from the Cardiff City Stadium - but following the 1-0 defeat to Brighton on Tuesday, Warnock stressed that he had no intention of letting the 34-year-old leave the club this morning.

COME ON BLUEBIRDS,CHEAP CHEAP TICKETS

' UPDATED ' 27/01/17

Ticket sales now 2,160

Cardiff have won 20%, drawn 30% and lost 50% of their last 20 away games.

In their last 20 away games against teams positioned in the top half of the table, Cardiff have won 2, drawn 6 and lost 12 of these matches.

In their last 20 away games against teams positioned above them in the table, Cardiff have won 2, drawn 6 and lost 12 of these matches.

' The Three Reading Players Cardiff must watch '


Reading come into the match having beaten Fulham 1-0 on Tuesday night thanks to a goal from Roy Beerens and with four victories in their last six matches.

As part of the build-up to the game, we've asked getreading reporter Jonathan Low to pick out the three Royal players Cardiff need to look at the Madejski Stadium.

Ali Al-Habsi

The Omani goalkeeper has been in fine form this season, and was rewarded with a new two and a half year contract at the beginning of this month.

The 35-year-old has kept nine clean sheets so far and is an excellent shot stopper, as he showed by saving a last-minute penalty in the win over Fulham on Tuesday night.

Reading goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi
Garath McCleary

Another senior player who has just put pen to paper on a new long-term contract. McCleary has been rewarded for his fine form this season having scored eight goals and contributed six assists. Really thriving under Jaap Stam.

Gareth McCleary holds off Matthew Connolly as they compete for the ball (Photo: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
John Swift

The main creative outlet for Reading and now back at full fitness following an ankle injury. On his day, the former Chelsea player is a handful for any defence. Superb awareness and got a keen eye for goal too.

Neil Warnock:

Anthony Pilkington

"I don’t think he’ll play. It’s not a deep one, he did some light running but I don’t think I’ll risk him.”

Cardiff City Support tomorrow

There’ll be more than 2,000 Bluebirds in the away section at the Madejski Stadium tomorrow

The first allocation was 2,400, still a couple of hundred left.

City were able to have up to 4,000 tickets

READING TEAM NEWS



Reading will have full-back Jordan Obita available after suspension for the Sky Bet Championship match against Cardiff.

Tyler Blackett stood in on the left side of defence for the 1-0 win over Fulham on Tuesday night so could retain his place, while captain Paul McShane is fit following a wrist problem.

Midfielder Roy Beerens will be hoping to make the starting XI again after marking his return to the team with the winning goal against the Cottagers.

Winger Callum Harriott (hamstring), midfielder Stephen Quinn (knee) and striker Deniss Rakels (ankle) remain out.

Can't see us getting much from this game. Think this one is a home win.

Do you think we'll be able to pay on the gate/day? Won't know until last minute if I can make the trip or not

It's usually a last minute decision by reading. Why they leave it so late I don't know. Ring Reading ticket office and ask them is your best bet. If not I'm sure you'll get a spare ticket on here.

Its 50/50 on that decision, yet for Reading fans its pay on the day.

I took your advice nubbsy, called reading ticket office and they confirmed it will be pay on the day for Cardiff City Fans. Great news!

Brilliant News

Just been told it might not be?

By who Annis? Cas reading ticket office are the ones that sell them at the end of the day and there saying yes!

COME ON BLUEBIRDS,CHEAP CHEAP TICKETS


Reading big away following tomorrow over 2000 nearing 2500 pay on the gate.there are around 600 tickets left but they are more expensive on the day

Cardiff City fans set to travel in their numbers to Reading


By Jamie Kemble

Cardiff City are set to take more than 2,000 fans up the M4 for their clash with Championship high-flyers Reading on Saturday afternoon.


The Bluebirds travel to Madejski Stadium on Saturday afternoon to face fourth placed Reading and they’ll face up to the tough test with the backing of more than 2,000 supporters.

Cardiff often take good support to Berkshire, with the Madejski being one of the more accessible Championship grounds for supporters, located just-off the M4.

Ticket sales have been helped by the deal agreed between the two clubs to allow travelling fans to attend for an agreed cheaper price for both fixtures.


The Bluebirds’ faithful have good reason to make the trip with their team being unbeaten in seven visits to Reading.



Sales have already risen beyond the 2,000 mark and match-day sales could potentially see a number as high as 2,500 cheering on the Bluebirds on Saturday, if demand is met.

Neil Warnock and his men will need all the support they can get to defeat one of the best teams in the division and the loyal City fans haven’t disappointed.

Tickets will still be available to purchase at the ground for away fans and the tweet below has the relevant details.

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Cardiff City travel to the Madejski Stadium to face Reading in the Championship this afternoon.

Neil Warnock's men will be looking to steady the ship once more after their unbeaten run in the league came to an end with a 1-0 defeat to Brighton in the week.

Before that, the Bluebirds had won three games on the bounce, seeing them climb away from the drop zone.

Things should be looking up now, with relegation fears a thing of the past since Warnock's arrival in South Wales and a win against Reading, who are fourth in the table, would be a real scalp.

Stay tuned for all the team news, build up and live updates on here

Reading starting XI vs Cardiff: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Van den Berg, McShane (c), Moore, Swift, Williams, Kelly, Beerens, McCleary, Kermorgant.

Team news

Cardiff: McGregor, Peltier, Richards, Morrison, Bamba, Halford, Ralls, Gunnarsson, Hoilett, Healey, Zohore.

Subs: Murphy, Connolly, John, Whittingham, Noone, Kennedy, K Harris.

Neil Warnock has given his rash a chance to make his mark at Reading after handing Rhys Healey his first start for Cardiff City at Reading.

But there is no place for frontman Rickie Lambert who is not included in the matchday squad amid questions over his future in South Wales.