Reading are the next team to face Paul Warne’s Rotherham United as the Millers travel down to the Madejski Stadium to face the Royals in the Sky Bet Championship. Here we take a look at who the Millers will be facing in our opposition analysis…
In the Dugout
José Manuel Gomes will be the man in the dugout for Saturday’s game. The 48-year old has managed 11 clubs and been assistant manager at five over the course of his career. The Portuguese international has worked in his native country, Greece, Spain, Hungary, Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia in his career before joining Reading in December 2018. He has won one major honour as a manager, winning the Saudi Super Cup in 2016 with Al Ahli.
Stats
Reading currently sit in 21st position in the Sky Bet Championship table, one place above the Millers with the same points, 29. In their last five games, the Royals have drawn three, won once and lost once. However, Reading lost last time out, which came in the form of a 4-0 away loss against Sheffield United. A brace from Gary Madine added to strikes from Kieron Freeman and John Fleck sealed all three points for the Blades that day.
Previous Meetings
This is the 47th meeting between these sides with Rotherham winning 10 of these fixtures. There has been 15 draws and Reading have won 21 times since the first meeting between these sides in March 1969. The Millers haven’t beaten Reading in their last five attempts, losing on three occasions. The last victory was in April 2015 in a 2-1 home win. Goals by Matt Derbyshire and Lee Frecklington sealed all three points, despite Oliver Norwood scoring for Reading in the dying minutes of the game.
The last time these teams met was in December 2018 in a game that ended in a 1-1 draw at the AESSEAL New York Stadium. Joe Mattock’s stoppage time equaliser sealed a vital point for the Millers with Sam Baldock scoring for the visitors after just nine minutes.
Ones to Watch
Our Ones to Watch start with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. The 26-year old is currently on loan from Arsenal and played for the Millers in 2015, making eight appearances. The Argentina international has represented his country at U17 and U20 level and he has won two FA Community Shield medals while at the Gunners in 2014 and 2015.
In defence, Matt Miazga looks promising in the backline for the Royals. The 23-year old is currently on loan from Chelsea and Miazga is a current USA international after representing his country from U18 level, despite also representing Poland U18. The defender started at New York Red Bulls before joining Chelsea in January 2016. He has since been on loan at Vitesse and Nantes before joining Reading in January 2019.
In midfield, Ovie Ejaria is a future star in the making. The England U21 international is currently on loan from Liverpool and is looking to make a name for himself after loan moves with Rangers and Sunderland. The 21-year old joined Reading in January 2019 and Ejaria was part of the England U20 side that won the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2017.
Upfront, Nélson Oliveira is the main man up top for the Royals. The 27-year old is currently on loan from Norwich, having joined in the January window. He has represented Portugal from U17 level all the way to the senior level and in his domestic career, has won one league title, the Taça da Liga with Benfica in the 2011-12 season.