Reading Vs Bolton Preview

There's no doubt about it, this one is definitely a six-pointer as Reading look to get revenge after there embarrassing 0-3 defeat at the Reebok at the beginning of the season.

Both sides are desperate for the points and Reading will be eager to put their dismal form behind them as they look for their first points of the new year.

Steve Coppell talks about grinding out results;

'This is what we're about. Football is not just about good times, and letting them roll.

'It's also having the mental toughness to respond to challenges like this.

I'm certainly ready for it and I hope the players are.'

Jimmy Kebe, Glen Little, Michael Duberry and Bryn Gunnarsson all miss out through injury, but Dave Kitson has recovered from illness and Shane Long is back from suspension.

Marek Matejovsky will be hoping for his first start in a Reading shirt.

If Reading are going to avoid a relegation dogfight, then this man has to play. He came on against Man Utd and Chelsea and looks a very good player.

Reading already have talented strikers who will take opportunites when they come their way, and Matejovsky will add the creative spark the team so desperately needs.

Gary Cahill and Grzegorz Rasiak could make their debuts for Bolton.

El-Hadji Diouf could return if Wanderers' private plane can bring him back from Ghana as Senegal have been eliminated from the African Nations.

With Anelka gone, Bolton are going to have to look elsewhere for a quality player who can lift the team.

Nolan has proved himself to be a top player in recent years and his form could be key to Bolton's survival.

Reading have won more league games and scored more goals than Bolton this season, yet Bolton are above the Royals.

Reading have lost their last five games, their worst record in the Premier League.

Phil Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire)

I'm dreading every game at the moment, and this one in particular is a must win. If we play like we did against Utd, we will win this comfortably. Saying that, it will probably be a scrappy nervous affair and will be settled by a 96th minute penalty that never was. My prediction: Reading 1-0 Bolton

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