On Sky
Newly promoted Burnley will play their last game in the Championship this Saturday when they face Reading in the Madejski. Hopefully next season we can become an established Premier League club and not come straight back down like last time!
The Pre-amble:
The season comes to an end this Saturday when Burnley play Reading at the Madejski. Not only is it the last game of the season but we are also kissing goodbye to the Championship and will be playing our trade in the top flight next season.
Once again Burnley go into a game with nothing to play for but pride against a side desperate to pick up all three points and qualify for the play-offs. Ipswich failed in their attempt at Turf Moor last Saturday so are the Royals about to go the same way?
Last Saturday was another day of celebration when the Clarets picked up the Championship Runners-Up Cup having achieved automatic promotion in the Easter Monday game against Wigan at Turf Moor. The Clarets have already amassed an incredible 92 points, a club record for a season so can we finish on a high with 95 points?
Reading are currently in that coveted sixth-placed spot with the three clubs above them (Derby, QPR and Wigan) already assured of a play-offs spot. The Royals have 70 points but they have Brighton breathing down their necks in seventh spot on 69 points. Blackburn on 67 points in eighth spot look to be out of it barring some massive scores that could affect goal difference. The maths for Reading boss Nigel Adkins and his players is simple! Three points and they are in the play-offs, anything less and they will be sweating on the Nottingham Forest v Brighton result. All games on the final day of the season will kick-off at 12.15pm so the home crowd will be glued to their mobiles and radios throughout the game waiting on news from the City Ground. The game then certainly has some importance albeit only for one team which is probably why Sky Sports have once again decided to cover a Burnley match live.
In terms of form, the Royals have breathed hot and cold a little winning three of their last six games whilst drawing one and losing two. Their home form two is a little suspect too with just one win at the Madejski from eight games; a sequence that also included four draws and three defeats.
How will Burnley approach the game? Clarets fans will be hoping very much they will once again get their heads down and show the spirit and determination they had last week at home to Ipswich despite the result being somewhat immaterial for the visitors. Let`s come away from the Madejski with something and bring our current Championship life to a pleasing conclusion.
Reading Team News:
Nigel Adkins is still without central midfielders Jem Karacan (knee) and Danny Guthrie (calf) due to injury. Another central midfielder, Danny Williams (knee) missed last weekend’s win over Doncaster Rovers and he also looks doubtful for Saturday`s game. Winger Hal Robson-Kanu was also sidelined for the Rovers game with a facial injury but he looks set to return against the Clarets wearing a protective mask. Royston Drenthe and Wayne Bridge will also face late fitness tests after missing out on the trip to the Keepmoat.
Player to watch: Adam Le Fondre
Adam Le Fondre is the Royals leading goal-scorer this season with 15 goals in all competitions. The 27 year old forward previously played for Stockport, Rochdale and Rotherham United before joining the Royals in August 2011 after agreeing a three-year deal for a fee believed to be about £350,000. He has since scored 37 goals in 101 appearances for Reading.
Burnley Team News:
The only player sidelined remains Sam Vokes who is unlikely to return until the second-half of next season. The doctor though was pleased with progress this week following the surgery to fix his anterior cruciate ligament injury a couple of weeks ago. Dyche looks set to name an unchanged eighteen once more unless he is tempted to field some of his fringe players with nothing at stake for the Clarets.
Player to watch: Michael Kightly
Kightly has been bang on form in recent games scoring a goal in each of the last three matches. He looks set to become a permanent player for the Clarets soon. There is a clause in his loan contract stating that he could leave his current parent club Stoke and join Burnley on a permanent basis if the club achieved promotion to the top flight which of course we have!
Team & Tactics
Burnley could name an unchanged eighteen for the fifth game in a row unless Dyche is tempted to play a few of his fringe players with nothing at stake. He didn`t against Ipswich though under similar circumstances and I suspect he won`t again. I think therefore we will line up as follows
Heaton, Tripper, Duff, Shackell, Mee, Kightly, Marney, Jones, Arfield, Barnes, Ings
Subs: Cisak, Long, Baird, Edgar, Treacy, Wallace, Stanislas
Ref Watch:
Hertfordshire referee Mick Russell will be in charge of our last game of the season. He seems to be making a habit of it having also been the referee in our last match last season at home to Ipswich. His last match involving the Clarets though was our home game against Bournemouth back in November. That game finished 1-1 on a day when four yellow cards were flashed. Russell’s tally so far this season from his 26 games in charge totals 3 reds and 67 yellows.
Match Prediction:
This will be one tough game with the Royals going all out for victory to secure a play-offs place. I think we are about to spoil their party though and fight out a 2-2 draw.
Next Match:
Some Premier League club will be our next opponents in August and I never thought I would say that at the end of the season! Hope you have enjoyed our Match Preview coverage during 2013-14 and see you all again next season in the top flight! ‘We are Premier League`, say ‘We are Premier League!
