Reading host fellow promotion chasers Leeds United in a highly-anticipated encounter on Saturday tea time.
Reading manager Jaap Stam
There is certainly no love lost between Leeds United and Saturday’s opponents Reading.
To be fair, most of the ill-feeling appears to be coming from the Royals end, with manager Jaap Stam having a dig at Leeds’ tactics and striker Yann Kermorgant accusing the Whites of being a one-man team – with Chris Wood responsible for 24 of the Yorkshire side’s 52 goals this Championship campaign.
Leeds boss Garry Monk refused to bite when asked about their opponents’ comments on Thursday, however, explaining that his focus remains on extending the Whites’ seven-game unbeaten run.
Anything but a defeat at the Madejski Stadium will keep Leeds above their fifth-placed opponents come Saturday evening.
And former Elland Road midfielder David Prutton expects little change where’s the pair’s league positions are concerned.
“There’s a bit of needle between the managers and that’s great,” Prutton writes in his weekly Sky Sports predictions column. “Jaap Stam has had a few words to say about Leeds’ approach to the game and Yann Kermorgant questioned their reliance on Chris Wood.
“Having said that, if you take 20-plus goals from any team that will have an effect.
Leeds United striker Chris Wood
“Everyone has their own philosophy, though, and whether you are a purist or someone focused exclusively on results, it stokes it up a bit.
“Ultimately, the result may be most important in relation to where the respective sides finish in the play-off positions. It should be an entertaining watch either way!
“2-2.”
Wood returned early from international duty this week having picked up a knock in New Zealand’s win against Fiji last week.
The 25-year-old is, however, expected to recover in time for Leeds’ trip to Berkshire.
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