Reading are finding it tough to adjust to Premier
League football. Just one win in 13 games so far
this season, and things aren't about to get any
easier with the visit of Manchester United - live on
ESPN UK at 1730 GMT on Saturday. Indeed, the Royals will find out what the Premier
League is all about in December as their fixture list
includes games against last season's top three in
the space of 21 days. It is not the kind of schedule
that manager Brian McDermott will welcome with
his side only being kept off the foot of the table by winless Queens Park Rangers. Blog: Five United players with a point to prove But, up until the past fortnight, Reading hadn't
embarrassed themselves. They weren't losing many
games (six draws and a win in the first 11) and
their goal difference is still the second best in the
bottom seven teams. However, back-to-back
defeats against Wigan and Aston Villa, both coming courtesy of late goals, has changed fans'
perceptions dramatically and has seen the newly-
promoted side's frailties cruelly exposed. Reading look like a side look woefully short of top-
flight experience and class and, with QPR now
destined to improve under the charge of Harry
Redknapp, they are facing a long and probably
fruitless battle against relegation. But all is not lost. Reading and McDermott favour
the position of underdog. They marched to title
glory in the Championship last season when a mid-
table finish was expected after play-off failure the
campaign before. Team spirit and an effective and
organised game plan saw Reading unexpectedly bloody the noses of West Ham, Southampton and
Leicester who were all left to trail in their wake. The visit of league leaders United will bring with it
the kind of varied attacking threat that Reading
encountered, and handled reasonably well, against
Chelsea in August. In Wayne Rooney, Robin Van
Persie, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck, Sir
Alex Ferguson has an embarrassment of riches. It is in defence where the problems lie. The return of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones has seen
United tighten up at the back and concede just
three goals in the last four games (as opposed to
eight in the four before that), but it has been left to
late comebacks to dig United out of holes on more
occasions than Ferguson will want. The trip to the Madejski Stadium may be viewed as
an opportunity to continue Jones and Smalling's
integration back into the first team fold, as well as
the chance to blood youngsters and give minutes
to squad players - but they will keep plenty in
reserve and won't underestimate the opposition. Ferguson has warned this week that, after a busy
beginning to the campaign, now is the time for
United to "concentrate on the league" and build on
their impressive start which has seen them edge
out City at the top. United have already suffered three defeats in the
Premier League this season: Everton, Tottenham
and Norwich all showing that their weaknesses at
the back can be exposed by organisation, patience
and the ability to take chances when they present
themselves. But while it was something Reading excelled at in the Championship, they have not
looked likely of showcasing these traits since. Reading player to watch: Adam Federici. Federici came of age for Reading against United. Steve
Coppell's preference for rotation in the cup
competitions led to the Australian goalkeeper
putting in a performance against the Red Devils in
the fifth round of the FA Cup in February 2007
which earned him the 'Player of the Round' title and marked him out as a future No. 1, and not just a
stand-in for Marcus Hahnemann. But Federici has
lost his way this season, after an outstanding 20
clean sheets in Reading's title-winning side last
campaign, and now faces a battle to hold onto his
place in the team. With things looking desperate for the Royals it could be time for Federici to step up
and prove himself all over again. Manchester United player to watch: Wayne Rooney. In Rooney, United have the Premier League's joint-top assist leader (six) as he has
played a slightly deeper role of late. However, with
just three league goals to his name he will feel he is
a due a burst and has often underperformed when
United have needed him most. With the Manchester
derby on the horizon, Rooney will want to find his shooting boots against Reading and prove that he
is not willing to be relegated to the bench just yet. Key battle: Jason Roberts v Man United defence. The veteran striker has a handy habit of winning
set-pieces in the attacking third. Formerly of
Blackburn, Wigan and West Brom, Roberts is one of,
if not the most experienced player in the Reading
ranks, and also the most capable of troubling
United's shaky rearguard. If there is an opportunity to hassle, harass, and isolate a defender into
making a mistake or drag them out of position in
order to create space then you can be sure Roberts
will take full advantage and stand a good chance of
coming out on top in one-on-one battles. Aged 34,
he doesn't have many opportunities against teams like United remaining. Expect him to make the most
of it. Trivia: In 16 meetings in all competitions, Reading have won just once and lost eight times against
Manchester United, their only victory coming in
1927. Stats: Manchester United have recovered 18 points from losing positions this season, more than any
other team in the Premier League. Reading have
conceded 78% of their goals in the second half of
games this season. Odds: Reading are a distant 7.50 with bet365, although some might say that is generous. The
draw is 4.75 and an away win a realistic 1.40. Value
can be found backing the draw at half-time and an
away win at full time at 4.00. Prediction: It would be one upset too far to back anything but a Man United win against a Reading
side on such a bad run.



http://espnfc.com/uk/en/preview/345854/preview.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739

link to watch d match...

3-3

tis game will have close o 15 goals in dis match d way both teams r scoring

3-4 ManUtd

if u're not watching this match u're on a loooooooong thing!!!!

Wonderful football but manu needs to work on the defense