Tuesday Fulham Stuff (16/05/17)...

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Reading FC: Club urges supporters to leave extra journey time to Madejski Stadium for play-off clash against Fulham

READING FC are urging supporters to allow extra time for their journey to Madejski Stadium tonight for the Championship play-off clash against Fulham (7.45pm ko).

The club have advised fans to leave for the game as early as possibly with heavy traffic expected on all roads near the ground.

Royals have almost sold out all 24,000 tickets for the mouthwatering semi-final second leg after the first leg at Craven Cottage ended 1-1 on Saturday.

That includes more than 2,000 travelling fans from Fulham, many of whom will exit the M4 at junction 11, adding to regular commuter traffic.

READING FC are urging supporters to allow extra time for their journey to Madejski Stadium tonight for the Championship play-off clash against Fulham (7.45pm ko).

The club have advised fans to leave for the game as early as possibly with heavy traffic expected on all roads near the ground.

Royals have almost sold out all 24,000 tickets for the mouthwatering semi-final second leg after the first leg at Craven Cottage ended 1-1 on Saturday.

That includes more than 2,000 travelling fans from Fulham, many of whom will exit the M4 at junction 11, adding to regular commuter traffic.

"Compared to other midweek matches at the Madejski, it is also an earlier kick-off time than normal - with the match set to start at 7.45pm."

Reading are doing all they can to drum up an electric atmosphere at the game and there will be a Royals flag left on every home seat at Madejski Stadium.

Fulham tried a similar tactic at Craven Cottage on Saturday by handing out clappers to their fans.

The Royals' spokesman added: "With a flag on every home supporter's seat tonight, we'd encourage all our fans to be in their seats before the teams emerge from the tunnel to help create a sea of blue and white before a ball has even been kicked."




http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/news/15288635.Reading_FC__Club_urges_supporters_to_leave_extra_journey_time_to_Madejski_Stadium_for_play_off_clash_against_Fulham/

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Reading v Fulham Championship play-off preview: Premier League hopefuls locked at 1-1 as Wembley beckons

    Reading play Fulham at the Madejski Stadium in Championship play-offs
    The contest is all-square at 1-1 following Saturday's first leg at Craven Cottage
    Tom Cairney cancelled out Jordan Obita's opener in the first match
    Both teams have a terrible penalty record, missing 15 of 25 this season
    Winner will face either Sheffield Wednesday or Huddersfield in Wembley final

Let's hope Tuesday night's Championship play-off second leg between Reading and Fulham doesn't go to penalties - we could be there all night.

Both sides have an absolutely abysmal penalty record this season, with 15 of the 25 spot-kicks they have been awarded spurned.

Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham are the worst offenders, missing nine of the 13 penalties they have taken during the regular Championship campaign, and failing to convert any of the rebounds.


Jordan Obita celebrates after opening the scoring for Reading in Saturday's play-off first leg


Fulham captain Tom Cairney equalised to leave the Championship tie all-square

Jaap Stam's Reading, meanwhile, have missed six of the 12 penalties they've won, but have tucked away five rebounds. Fine in open play, but little use in a shoot-out.

And there is a very good chance of a late night at the Madejski Stadium, with the two teams locked at 1-1 following Saturday's rather cagey first leg at Craven Cottage.

With away goals not counting, both Stam and Jokanovic will feel their teams have every chance of making it to the Wembley final, where either Sheffield Wednesday or Huddersfield Town await them.

'It is only one game to push hard to get the chance to play in the final,' said Jokanovic. 'Whether that will be in regular time, extra time or penalties, I am confident.

'For the last year we have practised penalties and we will keep going with that.'

Not that you'd know it, with half-a-dozen Fulham players guilty of missing penalties at least once this season.


Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic watches on during Saturday's first leg at Craven Cottage


Reading manager Jaap Stam applauds the travelling fans after Saturday's first leg

Luckily, the goals have been flowing from other sources with Fulham revelling in their reputation as the league's Great Entertainers.

They scored 85 goals in the 46-game regular season, the joint-highest in the division with champions Newcastle United and Norwich City.

Jokanovic unleashed his talented and attack-minded team on the league this season in an effort to return Fulham to the Premier League for the first time since 2014.

And rather than there being one prolific scorer, goals have come from throughout the team, with captain Tom Cairney and midfielder Stefan Johansen scoring 13 apiece and on-loan forward Chris Martin getting 11.

Forwards Sone Aluko and Floyd Ayite have pitched in with nine goals each and the sensation of the season, 16-year-old left-back Ryan Sessegnon, has scored seven.


16-year-old left-back Ryan Sessegnon has enjoyed an outstanding season for Fulham


(Left to right) Floyd Ayite, Ryan Fredericks, Tom Cairney and Sone Aluko celebrate on Saturday

A number of top Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on the fearless Sessegnon, while Cairney is also attracting interest.

'It's very important that we go up, because then we have a better chance of keeping our best players,' said full-back Ryan Fredericks.

'There is always going to be interest from other clubs when you have players doing so well. This is the best chance we have had for a few years to go up - hopefully we can do it.'

But their free-flowing style wasn't in evidence in a tempestuous meeting by the Thames on Saturday that saw Cairney earn Fulham a draw after Jordan Obita's opener.

Tempers flared when Paul McShane saw red for a rash tackle on Kevin McDonald, but both were ultimately satisfied with the result.


Reading captain Paul McShane was sent off for this bad tackle on Kevin McDonald


Reading star Yann Kermorgant gets the better of Fulham's Scott Malone during the first leg

Unsurprisingly given he is a former defender, Stam's Reading are incredibly tough to break down, especially at the Madejski, where they've lost just twice all season.

But there are certainly defensive vulnerabilities to exploit, as shown by the 5-0 thrashing Fulham handed the Royals back in December and their 7-1 loss at Norwich last month.

The man to watch is their outrageously skilful Frenchman, Yann Kermorgant, who has scored 18 goals this season, while Garath McCleary and John Swift have also impressed.

The players are also determined to perform for the suspended McShane, who misses this second leg and also the final should they get there.

Goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi said: 'Everyone feels sorry for Macca that he won't be playing - but I feel sure we can win the match and get to Wembley and the Premier League for him.


Chris Martin and Yann Kermorgant challenge for the ball during the first leg


John Swift of Reading (left) fights for the ball with Kevin McDonald of Fulham

'Macca has been fantastic since he came to Reading as skipper, he has the respect of the players and the fans.

'We are very disappointed what has happened to him, he worked so hard to recover from injury and get back in the team.

'It was a blow losing him and for the second leg, one of those things. We were so happy to see him back as skipper after his injuries, he is important for the team.'

If the first leg is anything to go by, we could be in for another nerve-racking night. It could even go all the way to penalties.




Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4510574/Reading-v-Fulham-Championship-play-preview.html#ixzz4hF4WHBQ9
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Former Fulham man John Salako believes their 'inhibition and adventure' could be key in tonight's second leg

John Salako spent the 1998/99 season with Fulham and also played for three years for tonight's opponents Reading

Former Fulham winger John Salako believes the Cottagers' "inhibition and adventure" could be the telling factor in tonight's Championship play-off semi final second leg against Reading.

The two teams meet at the Madejski Stadium with the score tied at 1-1 following last week's stalemate at Craven Cottage.

It's sure to be a tense and tight contest between the two sides with a place in the final at Wembley at stake. One mistake could be the difference between reaching the Premier League and another season in the Championship.

But Salako, who spent the 1998/99 season with Fulham and enjoyed three years with Reading, feels Slavisa Jokanovic's side will have the edge.

Speaking to Football Whispers at their FW:2 event in Milton Keynes last Thursday, he said: "Fulham have been incredible. I saw them earlier on in the season, they were playing good possession football but weren't always hurting the opposition.

"But they've done so well. They've got some good quality in their team. Tom Cairney is one of those players that everyone's looking at, he's got so much quality.

"He perhaps lacks that little bit of pace, so I'm wondering if he steps up to the Premier League how will he do. But they've got some really good young players, [Ryan] Sessegnon is just sensational.

"You need those fresh, young legs. It gives you that inhibition and adventure, and that's what Fulham have got. They're firing and are the in-form side."

Although tonight's away side arguably carry more momentum into the second leg, Salako believes Reading's home advantage will be a big factor.

The Royals lost just two games at the Madejski during the regular season, claiming 53 points from their 23 games.

"The first leg [was] at Fulham and the second is at Reading – I was speaking to Nigel Howe, the Reading chairman, and he is happy about that.

"I think you always want the second leg at home. And then Wembley's a lottery. It's a one-off cup game for £200million – it's always been the most valuable single game."

Salako is also a great admirer of how Jaap Stam has transformed the Royals and believes former Manchester United defender even has the potential to someday assume the Old Trafford hot seat.

"Huddersfield have had an incredible season and Sheffield Wednesday are strong," he told Football Whispers . "But Jaap Stam has done an incredible job with Reading.

"He started in the academy at Ajax and has done things the right way – they do it so much better abroad. When Jaap takes a big job, he'll have the experience of the Ajax Under-18s, Ajax Under-21s and now Reading.

"He will heave learnt about himself with every job and learnt about everyone else. If he was to get a big job, like the Man United job, he's been there and done it. He's learned from his experiences.

"That's what (Jose) Mourinho did, that's what (David) Moyes did and that's what (Antonio) Conte has done. Sir Alex Ferguson did it too – you get on a track where you learn to manage, rather than getting thrown in at the deep end."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-fulham-man-john-salako-13041929

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Matchday Info

Here is all the key matchday information as Fulham aim to book a Wembley berth with victory over Reading.

Possible opposition absentees

Paul McShane – suspended

Jordan Obita – ankle injury

Callum Harriott – hamstring injury

Deniss Rakels – ankle injury

Sandro Wieser – ankle injury

Tickets

Away tickets for this match have SOLD OUT. Fans can, though, purchase tickets to watch a live screening at Craven Cottage for just £5.

Weather

It is a warm, humid, dry day in Reading, with temperatures of around 17 degrees at kick-off.

Getting there

Trains from Paddington to Reading run regularly, with the fast ones taking under half an hour. The ground is then a taxi ride or shuttlebus away. Fans are advised to arrive as early as possible due to the numbers in attendance.

Coral match odds

Reading: 21/10

Draw: 5/2

Fulham: 6/5

Form

Reading: WLWWD

Fulham: WWDWD



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/may/16/matchday-info-reading

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Play-Off Second Leg: Huge Night Ahead

They don't come much bigger than this. Reading face Fulham at the Madejski Stadium this evening in the second leg of the play-off final, with the prize being a trip to Wembley for a shot at promotion to the Premier League. Both Fulham and Reading will fancy their chances of securing the win for a huge day out in a fixture that has to be settled tonight. The Royals did all that was asked of them on Saturday evening, leaving Craven Cottage with a 1-1 draw to bring the tie back to the Madejski Stadium, and get home advantage, on level terms. It feels like we are half way there and on track to finish the job, but Fulham won't be too disappointed with the draw in the first leg and have their excellent away form this season to call on.

Things couldn't have looked better for the Royals on Saturday when the excellent Jordan Obita put Reading ahead on 53 mintues with a fantastic low effort from the left that found the back of the net off the far post. With an hour gone Reading had looked comfortable and we dared dream of bringing a win back home. However, Fulham equalised from Cairney with 65 minutes on the clock. Paul McShane was given a straight red on 80 minutes for a late challenge with his foot way off the ground, but Reading held firm despite playing with ten men. The great result was overshadowed by Jordan Obita staying on the floor after the referee's final whistle with what looked like could be a serious injury to his ankle.

Paul McShane will defiantely be missing through suspension and Obtia remains a doubt after that late injury. Ilori came off the bench after McShane's sending off on Saturday and will now most likely start in McShane's place. Stam will have to shuffle around his defence, but we will all be hoping Obita has recovered after such an important role on Saturday. Gareth McCleary was an unused substitute on Saturday after coming back from injury but seems almost certain to play a part tonight.

Reading finished the season with the best home record in the entire Championship after winning 16 of our 23 home fixtures during the regular season. That impressive set of wins of course included a 1-0 victory over Fulham. Fulham's away record was only bettered by Champions Newcastle United. Impressive as it may be, the statistics still point to a Reading victory. However, the bookmakers still disagree with Fulham listed as favourites to complete the win over Reading and go on to Wembley.

The tie is so finely balanced that anything could happen - and probably will. It should be quite some night at the Madejski Stadium. Away goals don't count in the play-offs so if the game is drawn, whatever the scoreline, the game will go to extra-time and potentially penalties. You wouldn't bet against the game going the distance. It's a game you really wouldn't want to miss, which makes it amazing that Reading have been unable to sell out the fixture. Tickets are still available to buy on-line and by telephone for both the Upper West and the South Stand.

Well it's in the hands of Reading Football Club still and that's all you could ask for.

As ever though with Reading if it's going to be done, it's going to have to be done the hard way with no Paul McShane and quite possibly no Jordan Obita and if there's one team you really didn't want to have half your defence ripped out for it's Fulham.

So Jaap now has to perm another defensive line. He has options but if Obita is gone as well it is very much make do and mend. As I see it the logical step is to play Ilori instead of McShane and move Blackett over to left back. The question then is do Reading play 5 at the back or play 4 and perhaps double up on defensive midfielders. Another option is to totally alter the formation by moving Gunter over to left back and asking Tennai Watson to step in at right back. Lastly there's always the option of Reece Oxford for what would be the biggest game of his career so far.

The other question is whether Liam Kelly will be over his illness in time. In a way I'm glad he missed the game as if he is fit he'll be fresher and that can only be good given his style of play and having someone getting involved and stirring things up is just what the cub will need.

I'm also expecting McCleary to be thrown at Fulham in the hope that he can give an hour or so to occupy the Fulham defence and, if he plays on the left, he could help keep Fredericks nailed down and therefore stop too much getting at what would be a weakened left side without Obita.

The biggest factor though has to be the supporters. There really needs to be effort from ALL stands CONTINUALLY throughout the game and none of the pathetic library quality atmosphere that has been about throughout most of the season. Fans need to be noisy and right behind every move of the players, they need to make sure Fulham do not feel welcome during the game and be on the back of the referee for every decision.

As to the game, well it's a quite simple case of having to beat Fulham on the night. There will be 90 minutes to do it in, and then another 30 minutes if it's still level. Heaven help us if it goes to penalties though as given the dreadful performance from the spot of both clubs this season any penalty shoot out may well still be running by the time the proposed play off final comes round (so if you happen to read this Mr Stam, make sure there is some penalty practice in training).

Referee

Referee does not appear to have been appointed yet but I believe it is likely to be one of Andre Marriner, Robert Madley or Graham Scott.

Historically

Reading at home to Fulham in the league has seen a 50% success rate for Reading while Fulham have a 30% win rate (20 games played). It all gets rather depressing though looking at the cup games played between the clubs in Reading which has seen 5 games previously (2 in the FA Cup and 3 in the League Cup) and Reading are still waiting to record a win.




- See more at: http://www.royals.org/news/671/Play-Off_Second_Leg:_Huge_Night_Ahead_#sthash.a0jSAxYy.dpuf

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Would Chelsea pair Tammy Abraham and Tomas Kalas be good loan signings for Derby County?

Tammy Abraham's impressive season at Bristol City is likely to mean the 19-year-old striker will be in demand next season.

Chelsea, his parent club, have probably already fielded calls asking if the Blues would be willing to loan out the player for the 2017-18 campaign.

If yes, is he a player Derby County should be looking at?

Twenty six goals for a Bristol City side that struggled this season rather answers the question.

Derby have been short of goals this season. Fifty four in 46 matches is the fewest of all of the teams that finished in the top half of the Championship and that tally will need to improve next season.

   Manager Gary Rowett has mentioned adding power, pace and athleticism to the squad this summer. Abraham has those qualities. He is also different to the strikers already in the squad.

Derby are not short of strikers.

They have David Nugent, Matej Vydra and Darren Bent, while Chris Martin is set to return from Fulham when his loan is up. A loan deal might be the way to add to the attacking options.

Rowett said he is not against dipping into the loan market this summer but only for the right calibre of player.

He mentioned Abraham as the "right calibre" and also Tomas Kalas, another Chelsea player who is on loan at Fulham.

The 24-year-old Czech Republic international has made 39 appearances for Fulham and he has helped them to reach the Championship play-offs.

He can play centre-back or right-back, and that combination could interest Derby, who are being linked with defenders such as Andre Wisdom, Aden Flint and Grant Hanley.

Would Kalas be a good fit?

   It is difficult to answer that question having only seen him live in two matches against the Rams this season and he did not have the best of times in both games.

He went off injured after 31 minutes of a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage in December and he was part of a back line that struggled when Derby beat Fulham 4-2 at Pride Park in April.




Read more at http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/would-chelsea-pair-tammy-abraham-and-tomas-kalas-be-good-loan-signings-for-derby-county/story-30335604-detail/story.html#lcPzy31kOk3CJqRt.99

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Fulham are favourites to beat Reading and make it to Wembley for the Championship play-off final

Can the Whites do what they have not done before?

Fulham will have to do something they have never done before in order to make it to Wembley - win a play-off game.

The Whites are favourites with the bookmakers to do the business and see off Reading in the second leg of the semi-final at the Madejski this evening.

Fulham have played five play-off games in their history and have failed to win a single one of them.

The tie is poised at 1-1 following Saturday's game at Craven Cottage, with many believing Reading, who finished third in the regular season, are in the best position, given their impressive home form.

However, our friends at Betfair have Slavisa Jokanovic's men as favourites to win the tie, offering 14/5 on the Whites winning inside 90 minutes, with Reading at 19/5 and the draw available at 3/1.

Simply to qualify for the final, however, Fulham are 8/11 on, with Reading valued at evens.

And what about the dreaded penalty shootout? Could it happen tonight?

Betfair are offering 6/1 that the game is decided on penalties, with Fulham and Reading, both notoriously bad at hitting the back of the net from 12 yards, both priced at 12/1 to win it.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-favourites-beat-reading-make-13043694

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Ex Reading FC star tips Stam for Manchester United job

John Salako reckons the Dutchman has the ability to make it all the way to the top in club management

Former Reading winger John Salako believes Royals boss Jaap Stam is capable of one day managing his former club Manchester United.

The Dutchman was handed his first managerial role last summer when he took charge at Madejski Stadium.

Under Stam's guidance, Reading clinched a third-place finish and booked their place in the Championship play-offs .

And Salako, who was speaking to Football Whispers at their FW:2 event in Milton Keynes last Thursday, believes Stam is proving to be a manager who could one day take charge at one of European football's top sides.

"Jaap Stam has done an incredible job with Reading," he said.

"He started in the academy at Ajax and has done things the right way – they do it so much better abroad.

"When Jaap takes a big job, he'll have the experience of the Ajax Under-18s, Ajax Under-21s and now Reading.

"He will heave learnt about himself with every job and learnt about everyone else. If he was to get a big job, like the Man United job, he's been there and done it. He's learned from his experiences.

"That's what [Jose] Mourinho did, that's what [David] Moyes did, that's what [Antonio] Conte has done, [Sir Alex] Ferguson did it too – you get on a track where you learn to manage, rather than getting thrown in at the deep end."

Royals host Fulham on Tuesday night in the second leg of the Championship play-offs.

Salako believes Reading's home advantage will be an important factor in deciding who will reach Wembley.

Royals lost just two games at the Madejski during the regular season, claiming 53 points from their 23 home fixtures.

"The first leg was at Fulham and the second is at Reading – I was speaking to Nigel Howe, the Reading chairman, and he is happy about that," added Salako.

"I think you always want the second leg at home. And then Wembley's a lottery. It's a one-off cup game for £200million – it's always been the most valuable single game."

Fulham were the joint highest scorers during the Championship season, netting 17 more goals than Reading.

They were one of the league's most entertaining sides and Salako says it's vital Royals curb the Cottagers' exuberance if they are to reach the final.

He said: "Fulham have some good quality in their team. Tom Cairney is one of those players that everyone's looking at, he's got a lot of talent.

"He perhaps lacks that little bit of pace, so I'm wondering if he steps up to the Premier League how will he do. But they've got some really good young players, [Ryan] Sessegnon is just sensational.

"You need those fresh, young legs. It gives you that inhibition and adventure, and that's what Fulham have. They're the in-form side and won't be easy to stop."



http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ex-reading-fc-star-tips-13043849

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Stand Up If You Still Believe
A motivating battle cry for Fulham's biggest match of the season

Stand up if you still believe. The enduring battle cry from Fulham's Europa League campaign still rings true today. In just a few short hours, Fulham will travel to the Madejski Stadium to face Reading in the second leg of the Play-Off semifinal. The score is finely poised at 1-1; whoever wins at the Madejski moves on to Wembley.

Much has been made of Reading's home record. They have not lost at home to a team in the top half of the table all season long. Yet if it anyone can win at the Madejski, it is Fulham.

This is a team that goes away to the big boys with no fear. This is a team that plays with passion, verve, and swagger.

St. James' Park? 3-1.

Hillsborough? 2-1.

John Smith's Stadium? 4-1.

Carrow Road? With ten men? 3-1.

This is a team that aims to entertain, that plays the best football in England, that scores the most goals, that plays the game the way it is meant to be played.

This is a team that doesn't take no for an answer. This is a team filled with togetherness, fight, and resilience. This is a team that fights for the badge, fights for each other, and fights to win.

This is a team that finished 20th last season. This is a team that everyone counted out. This is a team that was tipped for relegation. This is a team that lost their top two scorers.

Yet this is a team that bounced back, buoyed by Slavisa Jokanovic, the best manager in the league. Buoyed by Tom Cairney, the best midfielder in the league. Buoyed by Ryan Sessegnon, the best teenager you've ever seen.

This is a team that is destined for glory. This is a team that will be raring to go tonight. This is a team that has a date with destiny on May 29. At 3:00 PM. At Wembley.

This is a team that is on the brink of glory. This is a team that needs your support. This is Fulham. COME ON YOU WHITES.

Stand up if you still believe.




http://cottagersconfidential.sbnation.com/2017/5/16/15645524/stand-up-if-you-still-believe

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Reading v Fulham: Team news, predictions & odds

The match pack for Reading v Fulham includes team news, statistics, manager quotes, odds and our prediction.

The second leg of the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final kicks off at 1945 BST at the Madejski Stadium, live on Sky Sports 3.

Reading v Fulham: Quotes

Ali Al Habsi (Reading goalkeeper)

On Paul McShane's red card in the first leg: "Everyone feels sorry for Macca that he won't be playing - but I feel sure we can win the match and get to Wembley and the Premier League for him.

"Macca has been fantastic since he came to Reading as skipper, he has the respect of the players and the fans.

"We are very disappointed what has happened to him, he worked so hard to recover from injury and get back in the team.

"It was a blow losing him and for the second leg, one of those things. We were so happy to see him back as skipper after his injuries, he is important for the team.

"But after the red card we defended really well, all the players concentrated really well.

"We lost a key player in Macca, that can happen, but the squad has been fantastic all season and we will manage to play well without him.

"We had to play many games without him this season through injury but it is unfortunate as he played so well in the first 80 minutes on Saturday."

Ryan Fredericks (Fulham full-back)

On going for promotion: "It is very important that we go up, because then we have a better chance of keeping our best players.

"There is always going to be interest from other clubs when you have players doing so well. This is the best chance we have had for a few years to go up - hopefully we can do it.

"Tom is technically very good, the best passer of a football in the league by a long way. Those sort of qualities would see him shine in the Premier League.

"Any Premier League team would be lucky to have him, but we have got him at the moment and let him do the job for us.

"Everyone is focused on doing this with, and for, Fulham. Everyone wants to play for Fulham in the Premier League."So there will be no talk of anything else or going anywhere else, the minds are set on promotion.

"After the season is done, that is when talks happen. Until that point, we are all trying to get Fulham up."

Reading v Fulham: Team news

Jordan Obita is an injury doubt as Reading host Fulham in the second leg of their Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final on Tuesday.

Obita put the Royals ahead in the first leg at Craven Cottage on Saturday before Tom Cairney's header left the tie finely poised.

But Obita could be missing at the Madejski after he twisted an ankle towards the end of the game. 

Reading will also be without suspended skipper Paul McShane, who battled back from injury to make the first leg but was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Kevin McDonald.

Along with Obita, Reading are waiting to see if midfielder Liam Kelly has shaken off the illness that forced him to sit out the trip to Craven Cottage.

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic has no fresh injury concerns and could name the same starting line-up for the second leg. 

Reading v Fulham: Our prediction 

1pt Reading to beat Fulham at 9/4 - price remains too big for the Royals to get the victory

Our Nick Hext writes... I've secured profits all season by backing Reading at prices I've considered too big and I can't shake off my belief in the Royals just yet.

I took a slice of the 5/1 available for Reading to win the first leg of their Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final at Fulham on Saturday evening but, despite the Royals netting first, a 1-1 draw failed to secure the dividends for followers of these tips.

Fulham did dominate plenty of the play at Craven Cottage but another impressive tactical approach from Jaap Stam secured the draw, even with 10 men after Paul McShane's dismissal, and that leaves all to play for in Tuesday night's return game. 

Reading have been priced up by the bookies at over 2/1 to get the win they need for a place at Wembley and those odds have to be worth an interest.

The Royals' home record has made appeal to me throughout the season. They've won eight and drawn two of their last 10 games at the Madejski Stadium and their record against top half sides on their own turf comes in at eight wins and three draws.

That's a fantastic record in anybody's book and I've felt all term that the Royals have been underestimated as they went under the radar to finish in third.

I had expected Fulham to have drifted more in the odds for this return leg but they haven't so my prognosis ahead of the opening encounter remains intact that the prices just aren't as close as they should be.

The Cottagers claimed a number of notable away wins during the run-in but they've suffered defeats at Derby, Birmingham and Reading, a 1-0 victory for Stam's side in January, during 2017 to show that they are far from invincible.

Tom Cairney, Fulham's playmaker, says he expects Tuesday night's game to be more open.

I disagree. McShane's absence for Reading is a blow and the potential absence of Jordan Obita a concern but I'm sure the last thing that Stam is going to do is send his side out in a gung-ho manner. 

There won't be much in this game but I have to keep faith in Reading after their home form came good for followers of these tips throughout the end of the season.

Verdict: Reading 1-0 Fulham

Reading v Fulham: Opta facts

Reading are unbeaten in their last four home matches against Fulham (W2 D2) in all competitions. 

The Royals have lost just two of their last 10 games (including play-offs), winning seven (D1 L2).

Reading have won just once in five home play-off matches, failing to score on four occasions (D2 L2).

Fulham have lost both previous away games in the play-offs without netting a single goal – 0-1 v Bristol Rovers (1989) and 0-1 v Grimsby Town (1998).

After his first leg goal at Craven Cottage, no Championship midfielder has been involved in more goals this season (including play-offs) than Tom Cairney (23, 13 goals, 10 assists). 

The team that finished sixth in the Championship has won promotion via the play-offs just once in the last 11 seasons – Blackpool in 2009/10.

The Royals will be hoping to make it to their first play-off final since 2010/11; Reading have failed to win promotion from all five of their previous play-off campaigns. 

The Cottagers have never scored more than one goal in a play-off match. In fact, Tom Cairney's strike in the first leg was just their second goal in five play-off matches.   

Fulham are the 13/10 favourites with Sky Bet with Reading 21/10 while for the match to end in a draw again is priced at 13/5, with a penalty shoot-out a 6/1 chance. The home side are still seen as the overall favourites to gain promotion via the play-offs, while Jaap Stam's side are seen as joint outsiders with Huddersfield at 4/1. Yann Kermorgant is the 9/2 favourite to score the first goal in this game, while Chris Martin is priced at 5/1 and seen at the most like for the away side. Tom Cairney, who scored for The Cottagers in the first-leg, has been enhanced with Sky Bet Price Boosts from 7/1 to 9/1 to score from outside the area.     




https://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/reading-v-fulham-match-pack/64689

[WhiteJC]

 
Screening Tickets

If you haven't got a match ticket for the game and want to experience what will no doubt be an electric atmosphere down by the Thames, head to our live screening at Craven Cottage this evening!

Tickets are no longer available to buy online, however a very limited number will be available on the gate. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to secure their ticket!

Entry is priced at just £5 per person. What's more, every ticket also includes a free drink on arrival!

With a place at Wembley at stake, help us cheer the boys on and join us at Craven Cottage this evening.

Any fans that have not received their E-Ticket, we request that you bring your booking confirmation to the Ticket Office which will then be swapped for a paper ticket - you must bring confirmation otherwise we cannot allocate tickets.

The Ticket Office will close at 5pm and re-open at 6pm, with entry to the ground following at 6.30pm.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/may/16/screening-tickets

[WhiteJC]

 
Play Off Semi Finals Part Two

Both of the first legs ended in draws – which normally favours the hosts of the second legs. You never know though: Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday are both favourites to win promotion.

Reading v Fulham (this evening, Sky Sports 3, 7:45pm)

Although it might appear that Fulham blew their chances last Saturday, the fact that Reading are unbeaten in ten home league games at the Madejski Stadium is significant. That's their best run in the Championship since the last time they were relegated from the Premier League, but it also indicates that the Royals will lose at home at some point in the near future: half of their eight wins in that run were against teams that finished in the bottom half of the final table and Reading's last three home games were against the three teams that were relegated.

Since the start of February, Fulham have only lost at Birmingham and Derby, but they've also beaten Newcastle, Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday. This evening's game would be the best time to replicate those performances but don't be too surprised if The Cottagers concede at some point – they've only kept three away clean sheets in their last ten matches, although only Derby have scored more than two goals against Fulham in that period. To put it another way, only Newcastle had a better away record last season and no-one scored as many away goals as Fulham.

Head to head: Reading have only lost three of their last ten league games in Berkshire against Fulham, their last defeat was nine years ago in a Premier League game. The most recent encounter between the two teams ended in a 1-0 win for the hosts: Roy Beerens goal just after half time ensured all three points went to Reading. Fans of Championship nostalgia may enjoy this post from May 2011, the last time that Reading were involved in the playoffs.

Verdict: both of these teams have improved since bottom half finishes a year ago and I'll put my hand up and say that I didn't expect this from either of them. I'm still far from convinced by Reading, but having not lost at Craven Cottage last weekend I think their chances of reaching Wembley are very good, although they'll have to be at their absolute best to beat Fulham, especially as they're missing Paul McShane and possibly Jordan Obita this evening. It could be a long night.

Sheffield Wednesday v Huddersfield Town (tomorrow evening, Sky Sports 3, 7:45pm)

Saturday's draw at Huddersfield was never really in doubt after the opening exchanges and it wouldn't really be much of a surprise if a similar result occurred tomorrow evening. Wednesday haven't lost consecutive home games in the Championship since April 2014 and although this is a one off where potentially anything could happen, the Owls have won six of their last ten at Hillsborough.

Huddersfield were very inconsistent away from home over the latter half of the season: they only won two of their last six road trips and managed to conceded six goals in consecutive games at Bristol City and Nottingham Forest as well as winning at Brentford. They've not scored more than two goals in a game since Valentine's Day (when they pulled off a last minute win at Rotherham) and only Chelsea loanee Izzy Brown has scored more than one away goal since mid February.

Head to head: meetings in the Championship since both teams were promoted in 2012 have been pretty even. Wednesday have won two of the last three and drew the other match, but Huddersfield won the two previous encounters and have recorded four victories in their last ten trips to the John Smiths Stadium since 1983.

Verdict: Looking back at last season's playoff preview, I wondered if 2016/17 represented a better chance of Sheffield Wednesday winning promotion and having written that, I'm going to stick with it. After having finished 19th last season Huddersfield have surprised a lot of people, but although that represents a huge step forward – similar to that of Sheffield Wednesday in 2015/16 – there were signs towards the end of the season that the Terriers' wheels had fallen off.




http://www.buzzinchampionshipfootball.co.uk/play-off-semi-finals-part-two/4040