Reading v West Ham United: Can the Royals hammer the Hammers again?
The Madejski Stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for the Hammers. Six years ago they were thrashed 6-0 on New Year's Day and just last seson their promotion hopes were dented as they lost 3-0. In fact the Irons have only triumphed at Reading once. Could this signal the start of the great escape for the Royals?
Brian McDermott's men recorded their first clean sheet in seven matches against Swansea on Wednesday to end their long losing run in the process. It was enought to move them off the foot of the table too. The former Arsenal star will be hoping that will breed confidence amongst his players.
West Ham go into the game fresh as daises following Arsenal's decision to postpone their Boxing Day and Carlton Cole will be available after his red card against Everton was rescinded.
There's no love loss between the two sides and Reading always raise their game for the visit of the Hammers. Will the hosts ruin West Ham's big day out or will there be thousands of happy Hammers walking away from the Mad Stad?
Our pundits have their say.
Reading v West Ham; Kick Off 3pm December 29 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Josh Ben Moshe |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
0 |
V |
0 |
|
Liverpool |
Dave Disciascio |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Man United |
Alex Richert |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Newcastle |
Greg Hall |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Norwich |
Sue Read |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
QPR |
John Jaycock |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Reading |
Jon Keen |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Southampton |
Andy Saunders |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Stoke City |
Jack Heaney |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Swansea |
Jim Barry |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
Spurs |
Adam Crawford |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham |
Matt Beeby |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Wigan |
Jimmy Shine |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Sarshar Hosseinnia |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Blackburn fan |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton fan |
David Blackburn |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Wolves fan |
Chris Cox |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
1 |
V |
0 |
Panel Verdict
It’s too close to call.
Home: 7; Draw: 12; Away: 10. TBA 5.
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
