The two sides face each other in the FA Cup quarter final for the first time since a pre-season friendly in August 2012 as Eagles boss Alan Pardew returns to the club that he left acrimoniously to join West Ham United.
Both clubs will see this match as a pivotal part of their respective seasons as a loss will effectively end any chance of success in what will be deemed a disappointing campaign.
Neither have experienced good form of late as Palace travel off the back of a poor loss at home to Liverpool while Reading faced a long journey back from Huddersfield midweek after a 3-0 loss.
Team News
Crystal Palace – Kwesi Appiah and James McArthur continue to miss out but Jason Puncheon looks likely to return to the squad. Injury plagued Marouane Chamakh is once again out which could signal the end of his Palace career. Connor Wickham continues to nurse a knock so is unlikely to be involved.
Reading – Paul McShane and Hal Robson-Kanu return from injury while George Evans and Yann Kermorgant are both cup tied. Matej Vydra is doubtful with a hamstring injury.
Action Replay
The last competitive fixture between the two was in April 2012 at the Madejski Stadium. Wilfried Zaha gave Palace an early lead onluy for Kasper Gorkss to level things up soon afterwards. Right on half time, Reading striker Jason Roberts received a red card but it did not effect the hosts as they went ahead courtesy of Adam Le Fondre. Glenn Murray equalised for Palace but the visitors could not capitalise with the extra man.
Form Guide
In the last six games between the two, Reading have the upper hand with three wins while the other three were draws. In games at the Madejski, Reading have won two and drawn one so it has not been a happy hunting ground for Palace.
The three times these two teams have faced each other in the FA Cup, Palace have progressed on each occasion (1952/53, 1931/32, 1930/31). Reading have not lost at home in the FA Cup since 2012.
On recent form, Palace have one win and two draws in their last six games, saving their very best form for the FA Cup to reach this stage while Reading have won three and drawn two.
Form Players (courtesy of Who Scored)
Oliver Norwood (7.44), Yohan Cabaye (7.25), Paul McShane (7.20), Yannick Bolasie (7.11), Wilfried Zaha (7.06)
One To Watch
Hal Robson-Kanu
The Welsh international is in goal scoring form ahead of the visit of Palace but there are suggestions that he will not be at the club next season. There is no doubt that the club will do everything they can to retain his services. The twenty-six year old winger joined the youth set up at Reading from Arsenal in 2004 and made his first team debut in 2007. Two loan spells at Southend United and Swindon Town stood him in good stead as he has gone on to make almost two hundred appearances for the club and twenty goals. After appearance for England at youth level, Robson-Kanu made the switch to Wales and won his first full international cap in 2010.
Predictions
Final league position – 10th
With all the turmoil that comes with a managerial change during a season, the Royals will do well to finish in the top ten in the Championship. With the return of Brian McDermott, Reading have a manager that knows the club inside and out and that will help as they build to challenge for a promotion places next season.
- TEB prediction – away win
- The Tilehurst End prediction (see link below) – away win
- Who Scored prediction – draw
Betting Odds (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home 2/1
- Draw 23/10
- Away 11/8
Find our what the team at The Tilehurst End told TEB this week in The Reading View.
