In what has been a strange year, full of ups and downs both on the pitch and off it, Town will look to end their travels on a high against the Royals.
You can purchase a match pass for the Boxing Day bout by clicking the link at the bottom of the page.
Nathan Jones said:
(Please note, these quotes are taken from Nathan’s press conference on Thursday. You can watch the full version by clicking here)
On facing Reading: "I think they are in a better position than they were last year. I think the manager has definitely had an effect there and now their ambitions are maybe slightly higher. I can’t speak for another team but they’re a very dangerous side.
“They have some wonderful individuals that have been courted by higher clubs, so we know, like any other Championship game, it is no different. Form goes out the window, Boxing Day is usually a strange one with results due to festivities or whatever it is but all we can do is concentrate on us and not get pre-occupied with the opposition."
Who?
Holder of the Football League’s highest points tally when they won the Championship in the 2005/06 season with 106 points, Reading had two spells in the Premier League, one for two seasons and another for a single campaign.
In 2016/17, the Royals finished third in the Championship but lost in the play-off final to Huddersfield Town on penalties.
The manager – Veljko Paunovic
After a playing career in his homeland as well as in Spain, Germany, Russia and the USA, Paunovic also previously coached the Serbia Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-20s before moving into club management.
The Serb was out of management since he left Chicago Fire in November 2019 following a four-year spell in the States, but he replaced Mark Bowen in August.
Main threat – Michael Olise
Reading's top scorer this season Lucas Joao has missed the last three matches, meaning responsibility for goals and creativity could fall to highly-rated talent Michael Olise.
Olise has four goals and seven assists thus far in the Championship and is dubbed for a potental Premier League move in the not so distant future.
When and where?
Kick-off is 3pm at Madejski Stadium on Saturday 26 December.
Man in the middle?
The referee for the Boxing Day fixture is Matt Donohue – who last took charge of the Hatters in the EFL Cup defeat to Leicester City last season.
Played before?
The two sides last met in September and the Hatters were 1-0 winners at the Madejski Stadium in the EFL Cup second round.
Follow the action
Away games on a Saturday are not available free to season ticket holders this season, but we hope as many supporters as possible will get behind the lads from home with a £10 match pass which are on sale now.
All of the money from every match pass sold comes directly back to the Club and is a valuable source of revenue as matches continue with limited crowds permitted to home matches. We are very grateful for your support by watching on iFollow when you are unable to attend matches in person.
