Sheffield United plan to inflict more pain on Reading as the two Championship sides lock horns on Tuesday night. Reading currently sit 18th in the league, just four points above the relegation zone.
The team is winless in five of its last six and relegation is a strong possibility. Sheffield United, on the other hand, are eighth and just outside the promotion playoff places. The Blades are two points back of the final playoff spot and a midweek win would move them into sixth place.
Reading host Sheffield United in a must win match. The problem is Reading have been awful at home this term. The Royals have the third worst points total at home this season. The team has secured just 14 of 48 total points at home. Reading have –6 goal difference at the Madejski Stadium. Goal scoring has not been Reading's strong point in 2017-18. Leading scorer Modou Barrow has struck eight times, while the team has scored 38 total goals.
Reading may not be winning currently, but at least the team has drawn its last two fixtures. The Royals drew 3-3 against Derby at the weekend. Although the attack got out of the starting blocks, the team's defence was shaky. The backline has now allowed 45 goals.
Reading's defence won't want to see Tuesday night's opponents Sheffield United. The Blades are ninth in scoring in the Championship having tallied 46 goals. Sheffield United are +7 in goal difference. Leading scorer Leon Clarke has tallied the second most goals in the Championship (15). Despite his great return, Clarke has now gone seven games without scoring. His dry spell has coincided with Sheffield United losing three of their last five matches.
The clubs' previous meeting resulted in a 2-1 Sheffield United win at Bramall Lane. The last five times these two side have met in the Championship; the result has gone Sheffield United's way. Those matches date back to 2009. The only recent win Reading have had against the Blades came in the FA Cup in 2013.
Sheffield United come into the match against Reading having lost 1-0 to Hull at the weekend. Manager Chris Wilder was left fuming at his team. The Tigers' win saw them emerge from the relegation zone and Wilder is concerned his side could let another relegation threatened team off the hook. To prevent a repeat of the weekend, Wilder has publicly challenged his players.
Wilder and the Blades will rebound from last weekend's shock loss. The team will continue its brilliant record against Reading and doom the Royals to ninth home defeat.