Reading FC vs Bolton Wanderers - match preview

 Football is back 

The international break is over and Bolton return to action against Reading, away from home at the Select Car Leasing stadium. The afternoon kick-off on Saturday will pose an interesting test for Bolton because they were a Championship side last season but they had big financial problems and the squad has had mass overturn, with 12 players leaving on a permanent transfer and 13 players in on a permanent transfer. It's unclear how they will perform but they haven't had the best form so far. 

Bolton team news

Bolton go into this game with only one of their players definitely ruled out of the game, George Johnston - unfortunately the centre back will miss most of the season with his current injury. Coleman (gk) may also miss this game with the injury he picked up in the cup but his current fitness is unknown, however he may not be named on the bench even if he is fit. This means that Nathan Baxter will keep his place as the first choice goalkeeper, his performances this season have been mostly good with some room from improvement.

The defensive situation is very interesting because of the performances of the central defenders, Ricardo Santos is a mainstay in the team as the captain and probably the best player. Eoin Toal has also been very impressive since he came back from his injury and should/ will start next to Santos at the back but the other centre back position is up for grabs. Gethin Jones is the vice captain but hasn't been at his best this season, with many calling for him to be dropped and the other option is Jack Iredale. Iredale was very good , apart from the Wigan game, and when Toal came back was dropped instantly - personally, I would start Toal, Santos and Iredale for this game. I think the wing backs are a very straight forward selection: Williams and Dacres Cogley have both been very good so far this season and will likely start, the only other option would be Ashworth for Williams. 

The last midfield 3 was made up of Josh Sheehan, George Thomason and Kyle Dempsey and it worked very well. However, for this game Evatt may rest Sheehan after international duty and not training with the team for a while. Personally, I would play Sheehan with Kyle Dempsey and Mendes Gomes; obviously, this is very attacking but Evatt will now know what Mendes Gomes is about and he should be given a chance in the first team. Currently, Dempsey is un-droppable and the Morley will probably partner Sheehan with Dempsey ahead.

For the strikers, Dion Charles has to play but his strike partner is a very interesting situation. Victor Adeboyejo has been his partner when both are available so far but, in recent weeks, has been off the pace, despite his good start. Dan Nlundulu is the next choice who offers something similar to Adeboeyjo, he was brought in on a permanent transfer this season and hasn't been given many opportunities so far, could this be his first? Jon Dadi Bodvarsson hasn't started since he has returned from injury but a lot of fans have called for him to be given an opportunity next to Charles, obviously Jerome is also an option. I believe that Bodvarsson should start this game but their is a case for all of the strikers.

Reading team news and tactics

So far this season, Reading have experimented with formations under their new manger Ruben Selles (former Southampton manager), including a 4-4-2, 4-3-3 and a back 3 system. Either way, their system appears fluid (based off the average positions) and could pose a challenge for Bolton. Interestingly, they have had an average of 57.3% possession so far this season and it could be an even game (possession-wise) on Saturday. On average, they have had 4 shots on target per game this season, for reference Bolton have had 5.5.

They key men to look out for in this game are Charlie Savage and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, the latter is currently the Reading top scorer in the league (2 goals) and Charlie Savage has played 2.5 key passes per game - meaning that he will need to have a good game if Reading want any chance in this fixture. Reading have only created 1.7 big chances per game this season and have missed 1.3 per game, their attack is clearly not the strongest part of their game but the international break will have given them time to work on this. 

After watching their games, their biggest weakness is their ability to defend crossing situations, some goals they have conceded this season have come from this. This is from crosses in the corridor of uncertainty, a cut back or when it's a floated ball into the box. They find it difficult to stay with their men and stop goal scoring situations, Charles and the other striker should both be able to pick up a goal from this game. 

I am going to predict a 2-0 win for Bolton away from home with goals coming from Dion Charles (Dacres Cogley assist) and Kyle Dempsey from outside the box. It should be a good game.