The most impressive start to the season in the Championship has been made by Reading. They may have run into some reverses in the last few games, but they have won the most games of seven out of 11 and are a point clear of Watford and Norwich, with Bournemouth just another point behind. So, I think we can say that this Saturday we will have a better idea of Bournemouth's credentials for being in the push for promotion when the Cherries take on the league leaders at Dean Court.
Having lost three of their last five matches, the pressure is certainly on Veljko Paunovic, Reading's manager. Reading took a risk appointing the former MLS manager in August, but Royals fans couldn't have wanted anymore from the start of their season. Now we will see what things are like when he hasn't been having his own way, and this is a clash of two new managers who were appointed this summer.
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Tindall's main concern will be the firepower of Portuguese striker Lucas João and stopping his supply. João has nine goals already this season having signed for Reading this summer from Sheffield Wednesday. Yakou Meite has also weighed in with four goals this campaign and has been with the club since 2016 when he signed from Paris Saint-Germain.
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Reading's last two defeats were heavy 0-3 losses at home to Stoke and Preston North End, but they were certainly in their last away game when they lost narrowly 3-2 to Coventry City. So it may be that their away form is still something for Bournemouth to be very concerned with and yet Bournemouth will know they will get chances as Reading will come to attack and may leave space in behind. It could be the perfect time to play Reading, if Bournemouth can defend strongly, but the Royals are likely to be more cautious against a team they know can be expansive, as we saw with Bournemouth's first goal against Birmingham City last match.
Win the game and Bournemouth will feel like they are right in the hunt at the top part of the table, but a defeat would start to open up a gap which would put more pressure on AFCB in December and the Christmas period.
Reading Away Form
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AFCB Home Form
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