Championship play-off final preview: Reading vs Swansea

May 29, 2011
By: Frank Beresford

Just two days after Barcelona won the Champions League title at Wembley, Reading and Swansea will be fighting for the chance to play in world’s strongest football league at the very same ground.

Both Royals and Swans have so far spent just two years each in English top flight, so this will be a perfect opportunity for them to improve on that record.

Having failed to create an advantage in the semi-final first leg against Cardiff, Reading faced an uphill task of beating the Welsh side at their own ground, but not only did the Royals win the game but they did it in style, scoring three goals past Stephen Bywater.

Brian McDermott’s side now face another Welsh side, albeit a stronger one and they are 2.00 (1/1) with 888Sport to make it to the Premier League.

The gaffer is hoping winger Jimmy Kebe, who missed last six games through injury, will be fit enough to play some part in the £90 million game, but his replacement Hal Robson-Kanu is back after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Griffin, Khizanishvili, Mills, Harte – Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff – Robson-Kanu, Long, Hunt.

Arguably the most attractive side in the Championship had no problems eliminating Nottingham Forest to reach the play-off final, even though they had played virtually the entire first leg with ten men on the pitch.

The Swans’ superior quality shone in the return leg, with brilliant goals from Britton, Dobbie and Pratley securing the place at Wembley, and Swansea are now favourites for the win in this clash.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have been on top of their game in the crucial stage of the season and odds of 2.70 (17/10) offered by Paddy Power on away win look too good to pass.

Defender Neil Taylor returns to the side after missing the semi-final second leg through suspension, meaning that boss Rodgers will have full squad to choose from.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): De Vries – Rangel, Williams, Taylor, Tate – Britton, Dobbie, Allen – Dyer, Borini, Sinclair.

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