A place in the Premier League will be at stake when Huddersfield Town and Reading face each other at Wembley Stadium on May 29. The Royals did well to upset Fulham in the Championship play-offs semis and it remains to be seen if they are capable of winning the decider.
Terriers somehow survived Owls
Huddersfield Town were producing fine performances in the regular part of the season and, as a result, they booked their place in the Championship play-offs. The Terriers played out a goalless draw in the first leg of the tie against Sheffield Wednesday and fans saw yet another close encounter in the return leg at Hillsborough Stadium. Tom Lees’ own goal helped Huddersfield level the score and David Wagner’s men eventually defeated the Owls on penalties to set up a meeting with Reading in the Championship play-offs final. The Terriers aim to return to the Premier League after a 45-year absence and they are likely to leave their hearts on the field in the game against the Madejski Stadium outfit. Nahki Wells has been playing below expectations this season, but the 26-year-old attacker is widely expected to lead the line for the hosts against Reading.
Danny Ward returned to the starting line-up against Sheffield Wednesday and he is likely to start against Reading. The likes of Philip Billing, Jon Gorenc Stankovic and Kasey Palmer all missed the Hillsborough Stadium clash with injury and the trio is rated doubtful for the Reading game.
Royals proved their worth against Fulham
Despite being regarded as underdogs in the two-legged tie against Fulham, Reading did remarkably well to beat Cottagers and to book their place in the Championship play-off final. Former Manchester United defender Jaap Stam is doing a great job with the Royals and his men are certainly brimming with confidence ahead of the decider at Wembley Stadium. The Madejski Stadium club dropped to the Championship at the end of the 2012/2013 Premier League season and, no doubt, they are eager to return to the English elite division. Yann Kermorgant scored the winner in the 1-0 triumph over Fulham and the team’s top scorer is likely to prove a handful for the opposition defenders in the final. Reading finished the regular season in third position in the Championship standings, but they will have to prove their worth on the field if they are to secure promotion to the Premier League.
Jordan Obita missed the Fulham game with injury, but he could recover in time to face Huddersfield Town. Liam Kelly has overcome his illness and he is pushing for a start. Paul McShane return from suspension.
Prediction
There will be fireworks when Huddersfield Town and Reading face each other at Wembley Stadium in the Championship play-off final. We teamed up with FootballPredictions.com for this prediction, according to them both Huddersfield and Reading won their respective home fixtures in the regular season, but it seems as if the Royals are more of a team than the Terriers. Jaap Stam’s men proved their worth in the double-header against Fulham and they are likely to return to the English top flight.
