Reading Preview - Home, Nov 20th

After making a blistering start to the season, belying any critics (myself included) who expected Watford to sink without trace this season, the Hornet's form has slipped drastically in recent weeks.

After collecting 15 points from their first eight league games the Hornet's have notched up just seven points from the following nine, losing six of those games and slipping into mid-table.

Brian McDermott's Reading visit Vicarage Road on Saturday looking to continue the Hornet's poor form, doubtless buoyed by their comeback against Norwich on Saturday. Having been three down at the Madejski the Royals claimed a point and were unlucky not to take all three against the ten men of Norwich City.

Watford Team News: Don Cowie returned to the starting eleven at Burnley on Saturday and was immediately amongst the goals.

Up top two from the three of Danny Graham, Troy Deeney and Marvin Sordell will start; realistically it will be Graham and one other.

Skipper John Eustace is out due to suspension and with Ross Jenkins struggling with an anlle problem, Josh Walker should start.

Likely XI: Loach; Doyley, Mariappa (c), M.Taylor, A.Taylor; Walker; Cowie, Mutch, McGinn; Deeney and Graham.

Home Form: Watford 2-1 Ipswich Town, Watford 0-2 Scunthorpe United and Watford 1-1 Nottingham Forest.

Head2Head: Watford 2-2 Reading, Reading 4-0 Watford (08/09), Reading 1-1 Watford and Watford 3-0 Reading (09/10).

Reading Team News: Icelandic pair Brynjar Gunnarsson and Ivar Ingimarsson will both miss the trip to WD18 on Saturday with minor injuries.

Mali winger Jimmy Kebe (knee) has been out of late and will be monitored in the run-up to kick off.

Line-up Vs. Norwich City: Federici; Griffin, Mills, Khizanishvilli, Harte; McAnuff, Karacan, Howard, Hunt; Church and Long.

Ex-Hornets: Brynjar Gunnarsson: Iceland international spent an impressive season at the Vic' having arrived on a free from Nottingham Forest. Sold to the Royals for around 150k in 2005 by incoming manager Aidy Boothroyd. Jobi McAnuff: Hit-and-miss winger whose form appears to have steadied in Berkshire after a frustrating three years with the Hornets. Pacey and tricky, can play on either flank.

Dangerman - Ian Harte: The left-back is not only defensively solid but offers an enormous goalscoring threat. Marked his Reading debut with a goal having signed from Carlisle and has since notched a further three in just 12 starts. Granted the 33 year-old Eire cap takes penalties and free-kicks but 19 in 52 at Carlisle United was no accident.

Away Form: QPR 3-1 Reading, Burnley 0-4 Reading and Bristol City 1-0 Reading.

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