Vital Stoke predicts: Reading (Away)

A new season sees a new feature here at Vital Stoke; Vital Predicts.

All the Vital Stoke team will be predicting Stoke`s result in the upcoming game and will go head-to-head with BBC`s Mark Lawrenson prediction.

Points will be given for any member of the team that gets the score correct (3points) or the result correct (Win, Lose or draw (1 point)), and all points will be calculated throughout the season.

This week we are joined by some special guests in the form of the candidates for the vacant co-editor`s role here on the site.

Editor Lloyd Reddin- Reading 1-1 Stoke

"I'm going for a draw in this one. Reading are going be right up for it in front of their own crowd in their return to the top flight. I think they`ll score first through Pogrebnyak but Crouch will level for us."

Co-Editor Tom Barker- Reading 1-1 Stoke

"I think that Stoke will stumble out of the blocks against Reading, and we will fall behind in the first half, but dominate the second half as Reading look to show that they won`t be pushed over on their return to the Premier League."

Co-Editor Ryan Kalisz- Reading 1-1 Stoke

"somehow, I don't think we'll hit the ground running. I hope I'm wrong"

Co-Editor Tom McKeon- Reading 1-1 Stoke

"I can see Stoke coming away with a draw, which would be a good result in my opinion. The Royals have a winning mentality and an attacking style of play and were incredible towards the back end of last season, especially formidable at home."



Guest Co-Editor Daniel Morgan- Reading 0-2 Stoke

"I think reading will find the step up to the premiership very difficult and they haven`t helped their cause by making some very underwhelming signings. Stoke on the other hand seem to finally be filling circle holes with circle pegs rather than shoehorning players in out of position and will do a '` professional '` job of seeing off reading. '`

Guest Co-Editor Conor Ellis- Reading 1-2 Stoke

"No one wants a promoted side away this week & aided by promising signings like Guthrie & Pogrebyyak , they will fly in. However, they conceded more than a goal a game last season & this level is a big step.. 3 potters points via set pieces, Crouch a double."

Guest Co-Editor Niall Cope- Reading 0-0 Stoke

"Stoke have picked up no more than four away wins over the course of a season since promotion in 2008 and with Reading in confident mood having sailed to the Championship title it will provide a stern test for Tony Pulis and his new additions. A point would be respectable."

BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson- Reading 1-1 Stoke

"Have Reading got enough quality to stay in the Premier League? They look a little bit short to me at the moment.

"Like a lot of other clubs who are going to spend a lot of time down the bottom of the table, the problem they have is in trying to persuade players to come and sign for them.

"Stoke are a good example of what newly promoted sides should aspire to. Since they arrived in the top flight in 2008 they have turned themselves in to a perennially decent, hard-to-beat mid-table side.
"When Reading were first promoted to the Premier League in 2006, they beat Middlesbrough 3-2 in a real thriller and made people sit up and take notice - but I cannot see that happening here."



Here`s what the team and the special guests think, but what do you think? Don`t be afraid to let us know in the comments section below!

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.