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The home side shocked everyone when they thrashed league leaders and early automatic promotion favourites Blackburn three nil on Wednesday. However, that win came off the back of a four-nil thrashing at the hands of relegation favourites Rotherham last weekend and made it two wins and two losses so far this season. To say it’s been a mixed start to the season for Paul Ince’s side would be an understatement, with these two performances showcasing their Jekyll and Hyde nature.
Many have tipped Reading to struggle this year after a dismal season last time out which only saw them stay up thanks to Derby’s huge points deduction. But beating the league leaders comprehensively will give any side confidence, now they need to capitalise on it by winning against Middleborough and creating the momentum to string a few results together.
They face promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough, with Wilder’s side having a poor start to the season by their standards. Boro have failed to win any of their four matches so far, losing to QPR and drawing with West Brom, Sheffield United and Stoke. However, they can perhaps count themselves unlucky last time out against the Potters, who scored a last-minute equaliser despite the Teessiders dominating proceedings.
Scoring goals doesn’t seem to be a problem for Boro, with plenty of talent and depth in the forward areas from the likes of Duncan Watmore, new signing Marcus Fross and Chuba Akpom who Wilder has brought back in from the cold following an impressive pre-season. With a couple of weeks left in the window, it would be no surprise if he added a few defensive reinforcements to shore things up at the back.
