Arsenal v Reading preview

Follow the Emirates Stadium action live on Sky Sports 1

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 18th April 2008

Arsenal keeper Manuel Almunia

Almunia: Injury doubt

PREDICTIONS:


Skysports.com predicts:
Arsenal 3 Reading 0


SKY BET odds:
Arsenal 1/3 Draw 10/3 Reading 13/2


One to Watch:
Gael Clichy


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Reading's Premier League future is back in the balance as they prepare for the testing trip to Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal, live on Sky Sports 1.

Steve Coppell's men looked on course to ease their relegation fears before a run of just one point from their last three games dragged them back towards the drop zone.

Worryingly for the Royals they have failed to find the net in those fixtures, and Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by struggling Fulham gives them just a three-point cushion on the bottom three.

Arsenal's season has fallen apart in recent weeks, crashing out of the UEFA Champions League to Liverpool and seeing their fading title hopes extinguished with defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford last Sunday.

But they remain a force to be reckoned with on home turf, and have lost just once in 36 league games since moving to Emirates Stadium at the start of last season.

Angry Reading boss Coppell has threatened to make sweeping changes following their home setback at the hands of the Cottagers.

Team news

Only goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann was absolved of blame for the Madejski Stadium debacle, with the 10 outfield players left to sweat over their involvement against the Gunners.

Skipper Graeme Murty is back in contention following a knee injury and winger Glen Little is set to start after more than a year out with a heel problem.

Utility man Brynjar Gunnarsson is available again following groin surgery and teenage winger James Henry will be hoping to be involved.

Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia suffered a wrist injury prior to the Red Devils defeat and faces a late fitness test, with rival Jens Lehmann standing by to start once again.

Abou Diaby serves the final game of his three-match suspension after being dismissed at Derby, but Denilson returns after a hamstring problem.

Midfielder Mathieu Flamini and full-back Bacary Sagna (ankle) are not match fit, while Justin Hoyte (hamstring) is also out along with Tomas Rosicky (knee).