Reading vs Stevenage. The FA Cup Third Round.
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Tuesday 16 January 2018 20:43, UK
Reading manager Jaap Stam is expected to again freshen up his side for the FA Cup third-round replay at home to Stevenage on Tuesday (kick-off 8pm).
Stam made seven changes for the first meeting away against the Sky Bet League Two club, which ended goalless, so Finish goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola and 19-year-old full-back Omar Richards could be given another chance to impress.
Midfielder John Swift and defender Paul McShane picked up hamstring injuries in the first half of Saturday's 0-0 league draw at Hull, and are doubts for the replay.
Forward Joseph Mendes has stepped up his recovery from a knee problem, but winger Callum Harriott (hamstring) remains sidelined, along with midfielder Stephen Quinn (knee). Defender Jordan Obita is out for the season after undergoing surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament.
Stevenage will check on forward Mark McKee, who missed Saturday's 1-1 draw at Morecambe because of injury.
Defender Ben Wilmot made his League Two debut on Saturday, so will hope to retain his place, while Tom King, who signed for Stevenage on loan from Millwall at the start of the month, could continue in goal.
This will only be the second meeting between the sides at the Madejski stadium, with the Boro claiming a 1-0 win over Reading in a 2012 FA Cup third round encounter.
That defeat to then League One Stevenage means The Royals have lost only two matches at home to lower league opposition in their last 18 FA Cup games - also losing 3-1 to York City in a round two replay in December 2000.
Reading have been eliminated in two of their last four FA Cup replays against lower league opposition, however they have won each of their last two, including beating Bradford City in their most recent FA Cup replay clash in 2015 on the way to the semi-finals.
Stevenage have only progressed once from their last four FA Cup replays, beating MK Dons 7-6 on penalties in the 2011 competition.
Reading don't score a lot of goals and grind away at you. They're a tidy team and Stevenage will just be grateful for a replay so I can't see them doing any damage.
I'd actually back Reading on the handicap on the basis that they'll can handle the extra fixture and can put some fresh quality on the pitch amid such a draining period.
Charlie predicts: 3-0 and Barrow to score first (25/1 with Sky Bet)
Follow the FA Cup third-round replay action on Tuesday and Wednesday with our live blog on skysports.com and the Sky Sports apps.
