Leeds United v Reading: The lowdown on the Royals injuries, stats and form with key man set to miss Elland Road clash

Leeds United host Reading in the Championship on Tuesday evening - but what do you need to know about the Royals ahead of the fixture?
By The Newsroom
Published 27th Nov 2018, 10:30 BST
Updated 27th Nov 2018, 10:35 BST
Reading's Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (R) tussles with Gjanni Alioski (L) last season.Reading's Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (R) tussles with Gjanni Alioski (L) last season.
Reading's Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (R) tussles with Gjanni Alioski (L) last season.

Who is fit and available for Reading?

Reading enter the fixture with five injured players who will definitely be missing for the Elland Road visit.

Perhaps though the most crucial is top goalscorer (7) Jon Dadi Bodvarsson who was ruled out until December earlier this month with a broken bone in his back and the Leeds game is expected to come too soon for him.

Reading's Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (R) tussles with Gjanni Alioski (L) last season.Reading's Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (R) tussles with Gjanni Alioski (L) last season.
Reading's Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (R) tussles with Gjanni Alioski (L) last season.
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Jordan Obita and Dave Edwards remain sidelined with respective knee injuries, while Omar Richards sees a hip issue keep him out with Saeid Ezatolahi.

Goalkeeper Vito Mannone could return to the starting line-up following a training injury with former Leeds loanee Mo Barrow expected not to feature due to illness.

Sam Baldock is also sidelined with a hamstring problem but fellow striker and teenager Danny Loader is pushing for his first start for the club after putting on a strong display in his first league appearance against Wigan at the weekend.

What is Reading's current form?

Current form: LLWDD

Paul Clement's side have had an up and down start to the 2018/19 Championship campaign which has seen them slip to 20th in the league standings.

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The Royals sit just a point above the drop zone after 18 games and enter the Whites clash following a 0-0 draw with Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.

A 2-2 home draw with Ipswich Town preceded the trip to Lancashire with Reading last taking all three points on the opening weekend of November as they beat Bristol City 3-2 on home soil.

Clement's side have won just once in their last 17 away fixtures.

What formation do Reading play?

Preferred formation: 4-3-3

Perhaps an insight into Reading's troubles this season is Paul Clement's chopping and changing of his preferred system.

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Over the 18 Championship games so far he has opted for 4-3-3 on seven occasions, 4-2-3-1 on six occasions, 4-4-2 four times and 5-3-2 just once.

Clement opted for a 4-3-3 on Saturday against Wigan and is expected to stick to this on Tuesday evening in LS11.

What are Reading's key stats this season...

Games played: 18

Goals scored: 24

Goals conceded: 29

Yellow cards: 31

Red cards: 1

Shots per game (avg): 11.2

Possession (avg): 47.9%

Top goalscorer: Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (7)

Top assists: Leandro Bacuna (3)

Away form - W1 D4 L4

Related topics:Elland RoadLeeds UnitedRoyals