Sunderland vs Reading. Sky Bet Championship.
Stadium of LightAttendance27,386.
Friday 1 December 2017 13:26, UK
James Vaughan will miss Chris Coleman's first home game as boss through suspension as Sunderland attempt to leave the Sky Bet Championship relegation zone when they meet Reading.
The striker was booked for the fifth time this season for his excessive celebration after scoring in last Saturday's 2-0 victory at Burton and he will sit out on an afternoon which will see the Black Cats seek a first league win at the Stadium of Light since December 17 last year.
Defender Marc Wilson is back in training after a calf injury and could be involved, as could young frontman Josh Maja following his recovery from a knee problem. However, midfielder Darron Gibson is a doubt with a knock, while Lamine Kone, Didier Ndong and Duncan Watmore (all knee), Billy Jones (foot) and Jonny Williams (shoulder) are still out.
Reading goalkeeper Vito Mannone is expected to face his former club before returning to Italy for family matters after his mother recently suffered a stroke. Forward Yann Kermorgant started again in the midweek 3-0 home win over Barnsley, but will be carefully managed after his return to fitness following surgery on a hip and groin problem in pre-season.
Midfielder John Swift continues to assessed on a hamstring injury, while striker Sam Smith is stepping up his rehabilitation from a knee injury, but is not expected to feature again until January. Winger Callum Harriott (hamstring), George Evans (thigh) and Garath McCleary (groin) all continue their recovery along with Stephen Quinn and forward Joseph Mendes (both knee). Defender Jordan Obita, though, is out for the season after surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament.
Sunderland have won four of their last five home games against Reading (L1), though this is their first meeting at the Stadium of Light since December 2012 in the Premier League.
Reading's last visit to the Stadium of Light outside of the Premier League came in April 2005, coming from a goal down to win 2-1 with a brace from Dave Kitson.
Callum McManaman has scored in three of his last four league starts against Reading, scoring three goals.
Reading have scored the same amount of goals in their last two away league games as they did in their first seven on the road this season (6).
Chris Coleman has faced Reading five times previously, losing four of those games and drawing the other - his last home meeting came in October 2009, losing 3-1 as Coventry boss to a Reading side managed by Brendan Rodgers.
The Royals have kept clean sheets in back to back league games - they haven't kept three in a row since November 2016.
Will this be the game when Sunderland finally get that home win? Chris Coleman got off the mark at Burton last week but Reading are a totally different proposition, despite their indifferent season so far.
Jaap Stam's side have had a bit of a habit of popping up with a win when I don't expect them to, and I think this will be a good game with goals on Saturday. Score draw for me.
David Prutton predicts: 2-2 (12/1 with Sky Bet)