Reading vs Swansea preview
Monday 31 December 2018 12:13, UK
Reading will be without duo Tyler Blackett and Leandro Bacuna when they host Swansea at the Madejski Stadium on New Year's Day.
The pair picked up red cards against Millwall on Boxing Day and will serve the second instalments of their three-match suspensions.
Manager Jose Gomes could use Liam Kelly and Josh Sims after they recovered from injury to make the bench against QPR, with Sims making a 90th-minute appearance. However, defender Liam Moore is likely to continue to miss out through injury.
Tom Carroll could make a welcome return for Swansea, after the clash on December 29 against Wigan came too soon for the midfielder. Wilfried Bony could be pushing for a starting place, after making two appearances from the bench following his return from a groin problem.
Manager Graham Potter remains without long-term absentee Martin Olsson. Captain Leroy Fer is also unlikely to feature for the Swans having just returned from a hamstring injury.
Opta stats
Reading are without a win in 10 meetings with Swansea in all competitions (D4 L6) since a 4-0 home triumph in the Championship in September 2008.
Swansea have only won one of their last 12 away league games against Reading (D4 L7), a 1-0 victory in October 2010.
Reading lost 13 home matches in all competitions during 2018 - their most in a single calendar year in their entire history.
Swansea's last win on New Year's Day was in 2011 - it came in a Championship clash with Reading; they've drawn two and lost one since on January 1st.
Reading have kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 home Championship matches.
Swansea have lost one of their last nine matches in January in all competitions (W5 D3).
Prutton's prediction
David Prutton predicts: 1-0 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
