Barclays Premier League
25 August, 2012
© 2013 STATS Europe BV. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS Europe BV is strictly prohibited.
25 August, 2012
© 2013 STATS Europe BV. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS Europe BV is strictly prohibited.
The referee has decided to postpone the game due to a waterlogged pitch at the Stadium of Light.
Stay tuned for team news and live text commentary.
After controversy surrounded Reading's midweek fixture with Chelsea, McDermott will hope that the officials are not the talking point of this game. The man in charge today is Lancashire's Neil Swarbrick. He is relatively inexperienced, this being only the 15th Premier League match of his career.
Reading manager Brian McDermott insists that performances matter more than results – and he can't be disappointed with his team's efforts so far, arguably deserving at least a point against European champions, Chelsea. McDermott may look to rotate, with this being their third game in a week. Jason Roberts is now available after a three match ban but there are questions surrounding his fitness.
Despite an encouraging start under Martin O'Neill, Sunderland haven't won in the last nine games. They have looked solid at the back but have struggled to create anything at the other end. They have new attacking options in the form of Steven Fletcher and Adam Johnson – both are fit and look set to start. These deadline day deals show Sunderland mean business and now they just need a confidence-boosting win to give them a platform to build upon.
Welcome to today's encounter between Sunderland and Reading at the Stadium of Light. Both sides are looking to record their first win of the 2012 campaign and this could make for an interesting tie - Sunderland have looked impressive at home under Martin O'Neill, losing out to only Arsenal and Manchester United at home last year, while Reading have proved themselves to be competent on their travels, picking up a notable 42 points away from home last season. Sunderland and Reading have only met twice in the Premier League, both times the home team earning the three points.