Reading v Birmingham preview
by Tom Kell, 21 March 2008
However the old cliché goes, there are only three points on offer for Birmingham’s trip to Reading and not six, but a crucial three points they could prove to be.
Two wins in as many games have catapulted Reading up to the giddy heights of 15th, one point ahead of their West Midland visitors.
Reading 21/20 Draw 21/10 Birmingham 11/5
James Harper to score first goal 16/1
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Alex McLeish has confirmed that all eyes will be on a titanic relegation scrap and not Martin Taylor, as the defender will not travel despite being available again following THAT tackle on Arsenal's Eduardo last month.
McLeish will stick with Liam Ridgewell and Radhi Jaidi at the back, while the Scot looks set to wait until the 11th hour to decide whether Seb Larsson has recovered sufficiently from a knee injury to resume his influential position in midfield.
Steve Coppell is still without captain Graeme Murty but has an otherwise clean bill of health for a match that he this week described as ‘massive.’
A ‘must-win’ game it is not, but both teams will be fully aware that they could find themselves back in the bottom three come Saturday evening if results go against them.
Prediction: 1-1
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