Under-23s Match Preview: Reading vs. Leicester City

The Leicester City Development Squad go into Monday’s clash at Reading needing at least one victory to confirm their Premier League 2 Division 1 status with just two matches remaining. 

Following Derby County’s 1-0 success at Southampton on Friday, City have dropped back into the bottom two but have a game in hand on their East Midlands rivals. Steve Beaglehole’s men were on a five-game unbeaten run before the disappointing 3-1 defeat by Liverpool at Holmes Park last Monday. 

The Foxes, however, have been steadily improving both at the back and in front of goal in recent weeks and their fate remains in their own hands. Reading, on the other hand, are rooted to the bottom of the table but could go level on points with Leicester with three points this week. 

Young defenders Elliott Moore and Josh Knight have enjoyed forays training with the Leicester City first-team in the last fortnight. Moore, the Development Squad captain, travelled with the seniors to Spain for the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final first leg at Atlético Madrid last week. 

The 20-year-old centre-back had the unique opportunity to train with the first-team at the Vicente Calderón Stadium last Tuesday having skippered the Under-23s so assuredly this season in Premier League 2. Knight, on the other hand, was joined by Liandro Martis ahead of the home leg. 

Back in December, 19-year-old midfielder Harvey Barnes, now on loan with Sky Bet League 1 outfit MK Dons, made his senior debut for the Club from the bench during the group stage at FC Porto’s Estádio do Dragão. 

Reading remain in trouble after three successive Premier League 2 defeats but will look to a 2-0 victory over Manchester United in February as proof of their credentials ahead of a crucial final run-in of fixtures to end the 2016/17 season. 

The Royals have enjoyed more success in the Premier League Cup, defeating both Middlesbrough and Newcastle United in recent weeks, but will need to transfer that good form into the league quickly if they are to climb away from the basement. 

Realistically, they need wins from both of their final matches if they are to haul themselves out of the bottom two - meaning City will have to be on their guard.

Speaking after the 3-1 loss to Liverpool last Monday, Under-23s manager Steve Beaglehole said: “It was a good crowd here and it was a really good game to be at. Unless you’re a Liverpool supporter, it was very disappointing in the end. We’re a big Premier League club and we expect quality. 

“We’ve got a game against Reading next and I want to see the same desire and quality that we have shown recently. I want to see a reaction. We should have been beaten Derby County, [Manchester] United or Sunderland and then we would have been safe. 

“They have to go and win it at Reading. Never mind a draw or a narrow defeat, they have to go there and win.”