Clarets v Royals Match Preview.
Venue: Reading Football Club, Madejski Stadium, Shooters Way, Whitley Wood, Reading, RG2 0FN.
Kick-off – 15.00 – Saturday 15th April 2023.

There are lots of off-field distractions going on before the Clarets kick-off their encounter against the Royals on Saturday afternoon. Reading have just sacked Paul Ince on the back of some poor results and after having six points deducted for financial “irregularities which has plunged the Royals firmly into the relegation mix. How on earth the blame for that can be put at Ince’s door, only the owners of Reading Football Club know.

Vincent Kompany’s Clarets on the other hand have their eyes set firmly on overhauling Reading’s record Championship points haul of 106 which was set in the 2005-06 season. Burnley can beat that if they win their remaining games to finish on 108 points. Football constantly throws up these little matter-of-fact ironies, can Burnley beat the Royals on their own patch to keep alive the reality of accruing a new Championship record?

Reading will be fighting for their lives while Burnley will be looking for points to nail down the Championship winners’ medals. Ince’s last act in the Royals’ managerial post was to lose 2-1 at Deepdale, Vincent Kompany experienced a splendid Easter, overseeing wins against his teams nearest rivals; 2-1 at Middlesbrough on Good Friday and 2-0 against Sheffield United at Turf Moor on Easter Monday. Six points bagged was a very impressive return indeed.

One’s to watch: For Reading, Clarets “old boy” Jeff Hendrick will be aided and abetted by veteran striker Andy Carroll and for Burnley we need look no further than Clarets fans favourite Nathan Tella to add to his impressive goal tally for the Clarets.

Verdict: Burnley are homing in on the Championship title and such has been the season long excellence of Burnley who have continually managed to improve since mid-Autumn, I’m opting for an impressive 2-0 away win for the runaway league leaders.

Footnote: The last time I was at the Madejski Stadium was at the second leg of the Championship play-off semi-final in May 2009. Two of the best goals I have ever witnessed saw the victorious Clarets head onwards to Wembley. History constantly repeats itself, I cannot help but predict a win for the Clarets – again.

An opinion and post from the Editor of Clarets Mad.

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