Venue: Madejski Stadium Date: Wednesday, 30th January K/o: 20:00
Team News
Reading striker Noel Hunt faces a late fitness test on an unspecified injury he picked up during the win over Sheffield United in the FA Cup at the weekend. Fellow forward Jason Roberts is definitely out while new signing Daniel Carrico is unlikely to feature. Chelsea still have concerns over the fitness of goalkeeper Petr Cech and defender David Luiz, while Eden Hazard serves the second of his three-match man for kicking a ball boy.
Match Preview
Reading have responded in fine form to a 3-1 defeat to Tottenham at the start of the month by going on a run of four straight victories, knocking Crawley and Sheffield United out of the FA Cup and beating relegation rivals Newcastle in the process. Brian McDermott's men may still occupy a relegation place in the Premier League table but a victory tonight following Wigan's draw with Stoke and Aston Villa's miserable defeat to Newcastle United means they could climb to safety tonight. They will face the sternest of tests in doing so however, as they come up against the current European Champions who haven't lost to the Royals since March 1930. The Blues will fancy their chances of continuing that imperious streak despite drawing in their last two outings. Rafael Benitez will be hoping that his side can kick-start this season (rather than a steward) with three points tonight and close the gap on second-placed Man City in the process.
Likely Line-Ups
Reading Federici, Shorey, Morrison, Gorkss, Gunter, McAnuff, Leighertwood, Kebe, Robson-Kanu, Le Fondre, Pogrebnyak
Chelsea Turnbull, Cole, Ivanovic, Terry, Azpilicueta, Mata, Lampard, Ramires, Oscar, Ba, Torres Source:
BBC