Preview: Cardiff City vs. Reading

Cardiff City boss Russell Slade is given the chance to take some pressure off his shoulders this weekend when his side take on Reading in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Following a promising start to his Bluebirds reign, the former Leyton Orient manager has seen his charges collect just three points from a possible 24 on offer in recent weeks.

That has led to some supporters already calling for Slade's head, with the feel-good factor inside the club following owner Vincent Tan's decision to revert the colours back from red to traditional blue slowly diminishing.

Victory over Reading on Saturday afternoon will go some way to restoring the faith, however, and Cardiff head into the game having already seen off their Championship rivals this season in South Wales thanks to a 2-1 victory back in November.

The Royals have changed manager since then, replacing Nigel Adkins with another man boasting Premier League experience in the shape of Steve Clarke.

Defeat against Fulham last time out halted Reading's three-game unbeaten run, but they will head to the Welsh capital in buoyant mood with a backing of around 2,000 expectant supporters.

Just four points separate these two sides in the league, ensuring that this should be a tightly-contested affair, and Clarke's men will be able to name Chelsea starlet Nathaniel Chalobah among their squad following his arrival on loan from Chelsea earlier today.

Cardiff, meanwhile, are likely to name a blend of youth and experience once more, meaning that Joe Ralls and Tom Adeyemi could link up in the middle like they did in the 3-1 win against Colchester United in the previous round.

Cardiff City:

Form in all competitions: DLWWLL

Possible starting lineup: Moore; Connolly, Turner, Morrison, John; Whittingham, Adeyemi, Ralls, Harris, Noone; Revell

Reading:

Form in all competitions: LDWWDL

Possible starting lineup: Andersen; Gunter, Obita, Chalobah, Hector; Williams, Norwood, Guthrie, Mackie; Robson-Kanu, Cox

Sports Mole says: 1-0