MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 02:20:51| >> :120:14699:14699:

Preview: Reading vs. Tottenham Hotspur

Sports Mole previews Tottenham's trip to Reading, where both sides will be looking for their first victory of the Premier League season.

Andre Villas-Boas takes his Tottenham Hotspur side to Reading on Sunday seeking his first victory since being appointed White Hart Lane boss.

Despite signing France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, the Portuguese tactician has indicated that 41-year-old stopper Brad Friedel will continue between the sticks at the Madjeski Stadium following his impressive early-season form.

Another deadline-day signing, Clint Dempsey, could make his Spurs debut, with Villas-Boas likely to choose between either the American or Gylfi Sigurdsson to provide support for his lone striker.

That role could be handed to either Emmanuel Adebayor or Jermain Defoe, who has started all three of Spurs's first three games - netting once.

Moussa Dembele is almost certain to make his first start since joining from Fulham after scoring as a substitute in their 1-1 draw with Norwich City last time out.

Reading have had to wait longer than most to return to Premier League action after their fixture against Sunderland was postponed due to wet conditions.

Brian McDermott could name the same side that pushed Chelsea all the way and edged out Peterborough in the Carling Cup second round.

However, he may choose to revert back to 4-4-2, in which case Adam Le Fondre is likely to partner Pavel Pogrebnyak up front, with Jem Karacan missing out.

Garath McCleary should continue on the right wing, with Jimmy Kebe still absent with injury, while former Lillywhite Chris Gunter is in line to face his old side.

Current form:

Reading: DL
Spurs: LDD

Possible lineups:

Reading: Federici; Gunter, Gorkss, Pearce, Harte; McAnuff, Leigertwood, Guthrie, McCleary; Le Fondre, Pogrebnyak

Spurs: Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto; Sandro, Dembele; Lennon, Sigurdsson, Bale; Adebayor

Sports Mole says: 1-1

ID:45148: cacheID:45148:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4542:
Written by
Joe Fish

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Michael Dawson
Read Next:
Dawson to 'fight' for Tottenham place
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!