Blackpool v Reading match preview

Last updated : 20 February 2010 By The Seasider

Reading captain Ivar Ingimarsson could return to the starting line-up after being rested for the victory at Crystal Palace in midweek.

Striker Shane Long is still suspended, so Simon Church will continue to lead the line.

MATCH PREVIEW

Reading ended a 16-match run without a home win when they beat Blackpool in November. Now they are looking to complete a double over them and extend an excellent recent run of four consecutive league wins.

The Royals started the year deep in relegation trouble but have the Championship's best record of 2010 and have climbed to the relative safety of 18th place. Wednesday's win at Crystal Palace was another forward step.

Blackpool are also hoping to build on some encouraging recent signs. They have kept clean sheets in their last two matches and Tuesday's 2-0 victory at home to fellow promotion chasers Middlesbrough ended a five-match winless run.

That result was a timely boost for the Tangerines and was achieved despite them playing the last half an hour of the match with 10 men following the sending-off of Rob Edwards.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Blackpool have only beaten Reading once in 20 league meetings.

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• Their 2-0 win on 10 April 1999 is Blackpool's only triumph in nine home matches against the Royals.

Blackpool

• Blackpool, who won in midweek, have not managed back-to-back victories since October.

• They have scored in each of their last 14 league games at Bloomfield Road. It is the season's longest home scoring sequence in the Championship.

• Ian Holloway's men have also had more goal attempts (459) and hit the woodwork more often (18 times) than any other club in this division.

• Ben Burgess, who did not play midweek, is waiting to make his 200th career league start.

Reading

• Reading last won five on the spin in December 2008.

• They are unbeaten since Brian McDermott was made permanent manager.

• The Royals' away results are still much better than at home. With only 15 points secured at the Madejski Stadium this season, they have the joint worst home record in the division along with Plymouth.

MOST RECENT MEETING

Reading 2-1 Blackpool (21 November 2009)

Reading scorers: Sigurdsson 52, Rasiak 82.

Blackpool scorer: Ormerod 58.

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport