Match Preview | Cardiff City vs. Reading
Cardiff City welcome Reading to Cardiff City Stadium on Friday evening (17/02), 8pm KO.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
In the hot seat at Reading is Paul Ince, who was appointed permanently in May 2022 after an interim spell in charge of the Royals, in which he guided them to Championship safety.
During his playing days, Ince represented the likes of Manchester United, Inter Milan and Liverpool, as well as making 53 appearances for England.
He won the Premier League and FA Cup twice, along with winning the League Cup, European Cup Winners’ Cup and European Super Cup.
In management, Ince's has previously managed Blackpool, Macclesfield Town, MK Dons, Blackburn Rovers and Notts County.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SEASON SO FAR
Reading currently sit 15th in the Championship table, having recorded 12 wins from their 31 fixtures this season.
In their last three fixtures, the Royals have recorded four points, after earning a draw against Watford and bouncing back from a defeat to Sunderland by beating Rotherham United.
Ince’s side’s results have been significantly better at home this campaign, with 10 wins from 16 matches at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, which is the third best record in the division.
However, they have struggled away from home, winning just three from 16 matches, a record that ranks 23rd in the second-tier.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYERS
Reading’s most dangerous player this season has been Tom Ince, who signed permanently in the summer from Stoke City.
Son of boss Paul, Ince has netted seven goals so far this term, with a shot accuracy of 50%, as well as contributing with five assists.
Strikers Andy Carroll and Lucas João also pose a danger, having netted ten goals between them this season.
In their most recent win over Rotherham United, Carroll got on the scoresheet with an equaliser, before Tyrese Fornah found a dramatic late winner.
CITY FLASHBACK | BLUEBIRDS DEFEAT ROYALS ON ROUTE TO FA CUP WIN
The Bluebirds faced Reading for the first time in the semi-final of a fantastic FA Cup campaign in the 1926/27 season.
Competing with the Royals at Molineux for a place in the final, City put in a brilliant display, taking the lead through Hughie Ferguson.
Harry Wake doubled the Bluebirds’ advantage, before Ferguson netted once more to secure a 3-0 victory.
City went on to win the FA Cup by beating Arsenal, with Ferguson again finding a famous winning goal at Wembley.
