Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Reading will have Paul McShane and Hal Robson-Kanu back from injury but their FA Cup top scorer Matej Vydra is doubtful with a hamstring problem.
The Royals will be without cup-tied pair George Evans and Yann Kermorgant.
Jason Puncheon returns for Crystal Palace after six games out with a hamstring injury, while goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey is also fit again.
However, Connor Wickham has been ruled out of the next two games and Marouane Chamakh has suffered a knee injury.
Editor’s Note: Reading will look to repeat the feat of reaching the F.A. Cup Semi Final like they did last season as they play host to a Crystal Palace side whose only respite from a miserable 2016 has been their Cup exploits. Add to the occasion the fact that Alan Pardew is returning to one of his former clubs and we could be set for a half decent cup tie.
The Royals are in a mid table position in the Championship and are neither competing for the Play-Offs nor troubled by the danger of relegation so they will go into Tonight’s fixture with absolutely nothing to lose and will be able to give this game their full attention
In the previous round they beat West Brom at home 3-1 and Brian McDermott will be looking to mastermind another relative cup upset at home to Palace. But Reading do have Cup pedigree over the last few seasons and made an appearance at Wembley last season in a game against holders Arsenal. One that they matched them for a considerable amount of time but were beaten thanks to an Adam Federici blunder in between the sticks.
Tonight they play host to a Palace side that hasn’t won a League game this year and are tumbling down the table. They now find themselves 15th and were it not for such a good first of the season they would probably be right in the midst of a relegation battle.
It’s now 12 games without a win in the League and they will wonder how they didn’t manage to win on Sunday at home to Liverpool after having a goal and a man advantage for most of the second half. Not only did they fail to win that game but they also came away empty handed as Christian Benteke slotted home a controversial Penalty in the 96th Minute.
Alan Pardew didn’t hide his feelings after Benteke converted the Penalty with the ex Newcastle Manager throwing his jacket on the ground at full time and then going on record saying that Benteke had dived and conned Andre Mariner to get the spot kick.
It seems as when you’re out of luck, you’re really out of luck and Palace really need a reversal of fortune between now and the end of the season. It’s been 26 years since they were beaten by Manchester United after two attempts in the Cup Final. Pardew was the hero in the Semi Final with his winner at Liverpool and how he would love to end this season of two halves on a high with a return to Wembley, not once but twice.
Can Palace get past Reading this Evening, I would make them the slight favourites but with them seemingly low on confidence at the moment the home side will certainly fancy their chances. I reckon Palace will just have the edge but don’t be surprised if they have to do it all over again at Selhurst Park. I’ll go fora Palace win but both teams to score.
