Season Preview - Reading

Last season: 8th, 55 points; FA Cup fifth round; Carling Cup third round

Transfers:

In: Emerson Fae (Nantes, £2.5m); Kalifa Cisse (Boavista, £1m)

Out: Greg Halford (Sunderland, £3m); Steve Sidwell (Chelsea, free)

Official Website: http://www.readingfc.co.uk/

Official Kit:

Steve Coppell's Reading had a fantastic 2006/07 campaign - their first in the top flight. But let's be honest, they overachieved last season. But not targeting Europe was a big mistake by Coppell.

Reading hardly seen any activity in the transfer market this season – except for losing their best player to Steve Sidwell to Chelsea. It is important that their players stay largely injury free due to a lack of strength in depth.

Schedule via English Soccer Talk:

We'll be able to see what kind of team Reading is by looking at their results in their first four games this season. In a 13-day stretch, which included Reading’s remarkable 0-0 draw at Manchester United, also sees them host Chelsea and Everton, and make a trip to Bolton. They won't be able to hide in these games, and getting off to a good start in the Premiership is essential for any team with European ambitions (Coppell might be harbouring some this season).

Every game from September into December is very winnable, with the toughest of those being a road game at Portsmouth and a home date with Arsenal. I can't see Reading getting many points out of their 7 combined games in January and February as they'll play at Aston Villa, Chelsea, and Everton, and host Portsmouth, Manchester United, Bolton, and Aston Villa.

The run-in to the end of the season isn't exceptionally difficult, but 3 of the last 4 games are away, including a trip to the Emirates Stadium to play Arsenal.

EPL08.com prediction:
League Position – 14
Their fairytale premiership debut - in which they finished 8th - is definitely not going to witness a repeat. Reading over achieved last season and they have also lost arguably their best player in Steve Sidwell, who left for the greener pastures of Stamford Bridge.

But they showed their grit and determination in their opening game of the season at Old Trafford and managed to take a point off the Champions. They could again prove a lot of people wrong this season.