Bristol City v Reading: TV details, how to watch, team news and form guide

The Robins, one of only eight teams to play a Championship last weekend, suffered a 3-1 defeat to Blackpool at Bloomfield Road, as they picked up just a point from a possible nine in their last three matches, which have all been on the road.

Reading meanwhile had a break as they were knocked out of the FA Cup earlier this month, giving them a free weekend.

The Royals trail City by 12 points in the league table and are currently outside of the relegation zone by two points but they do possess two games in hand over their opponents.

What’s the latest team news for Bristol City?

Curtis Fleming yesterday revealed in his pre-match press conference that Robbie Cundy has returned to first-team training after missing the match against Blackpool.

The 24-year-old made his debut against Preston and was hoping to build on that but an issue with both his back and hamstring meant he was absent.

Andy King is expected to be out for a while after undergoing surgery on his hamstring for a second time this season. Midfielder Joe Williams though continued his recovery from injury and again made an appearance, replacing Callum O’Dowda who was hauled off at half-time.

The other experienced midfielder in City’s ranks Matty James is still not available for selection with the former Foxes man only working with the physio and is currently not training with the first-team squad.

As a result, Josh Owers who has been a part of the travelling squad at times, could be in line for a place on the substitutes bench.

Club captain Daniel Bentley, who has been playing as second-choice keeper recently, tested positive for COVID-19 but after going through a five day isolation, he is back in training and available for selection.

Nahki Wells could be pushing for a start after he followed a brace for the Under-23’s last week with a consolation goal against Blackpool.

What’s the latest team news for Reading?

Deadline day signing Thomas Ince could be in line for his first match with Reading, he joined the club with Liam Moore going in the opposite direction. Tom, son of United legend Paul, is to replace George Puscas who departed the club on the last day of the transfer window.

Junior Hoilett has recently been away on international duty with Canada but could make his return after making a quick return to training.

There are a few players in the treatment room for City with some short-term whilst others won’t play for the remainder of the season. Experienced defender Scott Dan has been injured since January and isn’t expected to return until the end of February.

Yakou Meite and Tom McIntyre are both making a steady return and played for the Under-23’s side but aren’t expected to play against City on Wednesday. Alen Halilovic, who was highly rated during the earlier stages of his career has a hamstring injury and is expected to return at the middle point of this month.

Midfielder Ovie Ejaria is not 100% fit according to Veljko Paunovic but could at least find himself on the bench.

John Swift is their key player this season, ranking as both their top scorer and their top assists maker. In the 27 games he’s played, he’s created 11 goals for his teammates as well as finding the net on eight occasions.

Form guide and head-to-head

It’s fairly even in the 101 meetings that these two sides have had but unfortunately Reading shade it with 41 wins to City’s 40 whilst there has been 20 draws.

Nigel Pearson’s side will be hopeful of a league double over their opponents having won 3-2 at the Madejski Stadium back in August. Andreas Weimann and Chris Martin put City ahead but Femi Azeez pulled one back, Weimann then struck again before Liam Moore reduced the deficit to one but luckily there was no response.

In the last ten meetings between the two sides there have been five wins for City, four wins forReading and a draw at Ashton Gate in 2019.

Fans were present for Bristol City’s last home win against Reading when they defeated them 1-0 in October 2019 with Famar Diedhiou scoring the only goal.

Reading are a side massively out of form with no win in their last nine matches with six of their last games ending in a defeat.

Another thing that goes in their favour is that Reading have lost their last four matches on their travels and in six of their 13 away matches this season, they’ve failed to find the back of the net and have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 17 games.

City themselves aren’t in the greatest run of form with one win in their last five matches whilst they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last ten games, conceding on two or more occasions in their last five matches.

Can I watch the match?

Yes. This game will be available on both the Sky Sports Red Button as well as Robins TV.

You can watch this match for free on your phone if you’re a Sky subscriber by downloading the Sky Sports App and finding the fixture.

Alternatively, you can tune into Soccer Special on Sky Sports News and watch the Championship goals as they go in.

Buying a Match Pass from Robins TV for £9.99 is an option with a presenter as well as a guest pundit providing analysis of the match.

How can I watch highlights?

As this is a full fixture list, there will be an edition of the EFL on Quest this midweek, but you’ll have to tune in at the later time of 22:00 GMT. You can watch it either on Quest TV or on Discovery+.

Bristol City and Reading’s YouTube pages will also have the highlights but they won’t come until after midnight.