well after the thumping of Tottenham last weekend , can Kevin Keegan continue his sudden change in fortune with victory against Reading . Reading have also enjoyed a turn around in form lately with only the 2-1 defeat by Liverpool spoiling an impressive run which has brought 10 points from teh last 5 games and probably eased theri relegation fears considerably ..

I think Newcastle have a great chance as they are at home ...and with Viduka and Owen now getting some goals i predict a 3-1 win for Newcastle ..

2-0 Newcastle

I'll go for a win 1-0 for Newcastle.

I fancy Reading in this one, been on decent form of late.

I reckon it will be similar to the Newcastle v Blackburn game where Newcastle where by far the better team should of scored 4 but didnt then Blackburn knicked it near the end.

Either that or we have a treat on our hands as both have been extremely poor defensively this season.

This is one of those games where we could very well take something from, but in reality probably won't as our away form has been just so poor this season. The performance at Blackburn last Saturday, which you can read my report of in the game thread, was somewhat of a mixed bag with some very good and some bad on display. The re-introduction of Bikey and indeed now Rosenior has generally tightened up the defence very well indeed, and Hahnemann has been on top shot stopping form of late. We are going to lack creativity in this game, that much is clear with the silly suspension of Matejovsky against Blackburn and with Little still out. Gunnarsson will also miss this game as well as Kebe.

I predict the lineup to be:

-------------------------------------------------------Hahnemann--------------------------------------------------------

----------Rosenior-----------------------Bikey----------------Ingimarsson------------------------Shorey--------------

----------Oster------------------------Cisse-------------------Harper-------------------------------Hunt----------------

------------------------------------------Kitson----------------------Doyle--------------------------------------------

Subs: Federici, Sonko, Long, Convey, Fae.

Reading have a sneaky way of stealing points from teams in form... I'll think they can do it again here in a squeaker. The defense has to stay solid though, or else the Newcastle attack will run them out of the park.

Newcastle were very poor indeed when they visited us and lost earlier in the season but this will obviously be a totally different game. At the moment we just aren't fashioning enough chances in the final third, we can have a great deal of possession within games and just do not use the ball well enough. We instantly look to get the ball out wide yet do not threaten often when balls are whipped into the box, as Kitson has often dropped deep to help with the build up play. Our creativity through the middle will suffer yet more with Matejovsky out.

after two wins in a row, you have to fancy your chances as a toon fan tbh. the team should be feeling a bit better in themselves now after a couple of wins, and a home game at reading should be a great place to continue the recent good run. not taking anything away from reading of course. any team can produce a great performance on their day, and it can also work the other way and a team could perform badly. but now with us in 12th, and 9 points above the relegation zone, we should be looking for our 3rd win in a row. owen has found some form of late, 3 goals in as many games i think. barton and butt also putting in good performances recently.

as im always optimistic, il go with a 2-0 win, but i dont we'll keep a clean sheet somehow.

Newcastle 2 v 0 Reading.

The winning streak will continue. Keegan's men will be on fire after the 1-4 against Spurs and confidence will be at an all time high for this season. I don't think Reading will be able to cope with our 3 pronged attack and when the goals come we can only go on and score some more. I go the for the 2-0 result but I'm hoping for more goals obviously we need to lower our goal difference before the harder games at the end of the season.

Yeah ill agree with you Monty, 2-0, the three attackers up front, bound for some goals.

To be honest i think you will beat us but bear in mind your prediction when we played earlier in the season Monty eh

1-0 to Reading.

Taffy to miss a shed load...again.

With both teams not defendng well this season i can see a high scoring game, with Newcastl edging it. Newcastle must be buzzing after crushing us at White Hart Lane, and i reckon they will continue this form until the end of the season running us very close for 11th spot.

Im going to go for Newcastle 3-2 Reading. Could be a high scoring game but since if said that it will end 0-0.

I think Viduka's return to the team has made the difference in recent performances. Newcastle have their confidence up at the moment and with the Toon Army behind them in full voice, I believe they will over power Reading. Newcastle have some very talented and experienced players in their squad.

Newcastle 3 Reading 1

Newcastle 2 (Either Martins, Owen or Viduka) Reading 1 (Hunt or Bikey)

I was very impressed with the way Newcastle played against Spurs. Viduka is making the team alive again, Obafemi is awsum, Owen starting to live up to his expectations. I personally cant see Reading maintaining those 3.

I really like Reading, they have some decent players and hopefully they can put up a good fight. Bikey, Hunt has been doing exceptional this year, Kitson and Doyle all need to step up today.

Bet of the day imo, Newcastle paying 1.78 to win against Reading who struggle away from home with only 1 win this season iirc. Newcastle will be on a high after a huge winning run of two, and the crowd will be buoyed by dreams of Champs League football and titles galore.

Na seriously i will be betting on Newcastle to win this, decent bet too, might combine it with a Everton win.

Newcastle win

2 - 1 Newcastle - Owen and Dukes.

Jono, we would win titles galore if we could play you guys every week - it's getting easier as the games go by

If if if, my parents werent even born the last time you guys won something. Keegan aint gonna change that

If's and but's make the world go around

Team is in:

Hahnemann, Rosenior, Ingimarsson, Bikey, Oster, Harper, Cisse, Hunt, Kitson, Doyle

Bench: Federici, Duberry, Fae, Convey, Long.


As expected.

Newcastle 1-0 Reading

Martins with the goal.

F*ck it.

Extremely open until that point.

Owen. Newcastle 2-0 Reading