In the last game before Christmas, Lincoln will welcome Reading to Sincil Bank, hoping to secure the three points that could lift them back up into the top six.
Reading Form
Reading have been in a dismal state in recent years. The Royals had incompetent owners that continually mismanaged the club financially, and several points deductions which helped prevent any sort of progression. The one constant during the time of uncertainty was manager Ruben Selles, who joined the club at the start of the 23/24 campaign. As soon as Reading looked like they were starting to steady their ship and get back on track, Selles left to go to Hull, meaning the Royals had to search for his replacement.
The hunt didn’t take long, and in fact the gaffer that was thought to be best tailored to take over the vacant position as head coach was already working at the club. Former Republic of Ireland International Noel Hunt was working as the club’s Under 21’s manager before taking on the role, and he will be looking to help fire Reading back up into the Championship.
Reading started their campaign with arguably the hardest possible fixture they will play this season, Birmingham City away. The Royals fired themselves into a 1-0 lead before half time, but an Alfie May penalty late on saw both sides share the spoils. Following this, they then won 2-0 at the Madjeski twice in the space of three games, beating Wigan and Charlton, with the other being a 3-0 loss at Wrexham. Reading started to hit a bad patch, losing matches to the likes of Leyton Orient and Rotherham. A 5-2 defeat for the second time in two years against Bolton in Manchester saw them slip to 15th place.
Following this poor run of form, Reading dispatched Crawley and Bristol Rovers at home, and even came away with a vital three points on the South Coast against Exeter. Their most recent league game was a 3-0 defeat at home to Blackpool. The Royals’ start to the season this year can tell us one thing, Reading blow hot or cold, but on their day, they will prove to be tough opposition for anyone in the division.
Reading Tactics
At this stage, it is hard to gauge what Noel Hunt’s Reading will look like, having only presided over one league game so far. Under Selles, Reading played in a 4-3-3 formation, so as far as the Imps are concerned, that’s how we can expect the Royals will play tomorrow. Sam Smith, Chem Campbell and Harvey Knibbs are the likely suspects to play along the frontline, with Lewis Wing and Charlie Savage slotting in behind them in midfield.
The Royals will travel up to Lincoln tomorrow with a clean bill of health, something Lincoln haven’t had in a very long time. Tivonge Rushesha is still nursing a knock from the FA Cup tie at home to Fleetwood, but is expected to be back in the matchday squad for tomorrow. Midfielder Ben Elliot is at risk of suspension, as a yellow card tomorrow will see him spend Boxing Day watching on from the sidelines.
Previous Meetings
Lincoln City have won just one of their last seven league games against Reading (D4 L2), with the win coming 38 years ago, in March 1986. In this fixture last season, the Imps went in front early against Reading, and in the end took away a point from a game they deserved to lose. The return fixture in the Madjeski saw a Freddie Draper header cancelled out by Bindon goal late on, which proved to be decisive in the playoff race for Lincoln.
However, do not expect goals tomorrow, as every time Lincoln play the 12:30 kickoff on Sky, it has been a 0-0 draw! The Imps will be hoping to break that curse, and get three points on the board for the first time since the end of October.
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