Second placed Manchester City takes on Reading in what can be described for the champions as a ‘must-win’ fixture.

Team News

Micah Richards and Jack Rodwell are both out for City. Vincent Kompany is doubtful due to a groin problem. Samir Nasri is highly doubtful for this one. His return is unlikely. Aleksandar Kolarov and James Milner are doubtful. Mario Balotelli might be out as well due to illness. Alex McCarthy and Sean Morrison are definitely out for Reading. Jem Karacan could be back for this one after recovering from injury. Jason Roberts has missed the last two matches and is doubtful for this one.

Analysis

Reading took a battering at the hands of Arsenal last week. Pavel Pogrebnyak showed that he can definitely help out though as he troubled the Arsenal back-line quite a few times. Reading went down 4-0 after conceding goals they should never concede. They scored two to give their fans some hope but crumbled at the back to concede a fifth. City will be a different beast to face. If Reading’s back-line has another bad day, City might just thrash them.

Previous Meetings

City 1-0 Reading
Reading 2-0 City
City 2-1 Reading
City 0-2 Reading
Reading 1-0 City

Previous Results

Newcastle 1-3 City
City 2-3 Manchester United
Dortmund 1-0 City
City 1-1 Everton
Wigan 0-2 City

Reading 2-5 Arsenal
Sunderland 3-0 Reading
Southampton 1-0 Reading
Reading 3-4 Manchester United
Aston Villa 1-0 Reading

Prediction

City 3-0 Reading