Reading v Newcastle United: Can the Royals wipe smile off Pardew's face?
Former Reading boss Alan Pardew returns to the Madejski Stadium this weekend with an eight-year contract at Newcastle tucked away in his back pocket, but will Brian McDermott wipe the smile of off Pardew's face?
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has obviously been impressed with Pardew's work so far and wants to tie him down at the club until 2020. Stability is something Newcastle have lacked over the past few years but could such a long-term deal lead to complacency? That is something which we will discover over the course of time, but for now three points at Reading are the most important thing.
The Royals currently prop up the table but did you know they have a 100 per cent winning record against the Mags at the Madejski Stadium in Premier League football? They have only met twice - April 2007 and October 2007 - but the home side have edged the result, 1-0 and 2-1, on both occasions. Can they make it a hat-trick this weekend?
Newcastle will be looking to bounce back following their midweek cup exit to Manchester United while Reading will be full of beans after dumping QPR out of the competition, but who will claim all three points here?
Reading v Newcastle
United; Kick Off 3pm September 29 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Josh Ben Moshe |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
1 |
V |
4 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Liverpool |
Dave Disciascio |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Man United |
Alex Richert |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Newcastle |
Greg Hall |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Norwich |
Sue Read |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
QPR |
John Jaycock |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Reading |
Jon Keen |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Southampton |
Andy Saunders |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Stoke City |
Jack Heaney |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Swansea |
Jim Barry |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Spurs |
Mike Richards |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
West Ham |
Matt Beeby |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Wigan |
Jimmy Shine |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Sarshar Hosseinnia |
1 |
V |
4 |
|
Blackburn fan |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton fan |
David Blackburn |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Wolves fan |
Chris Cox |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
1 |
V |
1 |
Panel Verdict
The Mags are set to fly home with all three points.
Home: 4; Draw: 8; Away: 22
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
