Back in the day in the Stretford End, those without a prawn sandwich in their hands sang, ‘Yip Jaap Stam is a big Dutch man, Get past him if you [think you] can, try a little trick and he’ll make you look a [fool] Yip Jaap, Jaap Stam’ - or words to that effect.
On Saturday, Town fans make the 423 mile round trip to the Madejski Stadium to face Reading Manager Stam’s Royals and see if his charges are equally as difficult to get past.
Reading go into this game unbeaten in their last seven in all competitions and last five in the league, so quite rightly Ladbrokes start them favourites albeit narrowly at 7/5.
Town are priced up at 2/1 whilst the draw is on offer at 21/10.
Now before the Terriers’ fans start gnashing their teeth and reminding me that they’re top of the league and Reading are back in eighth fully five points behind them, just remember historically the Madejski or previously Elm Park are not happy hunting grounds.
Since October 1975 Town have played 24, lost 14, drawn six and only on four occasions come away from Berkshire with all three points.
I’ll take the draw at a shade over 2/1 and no doubt David Wagner will too, especially after watching them beat Brighton at the Amex on Tuesday night with 10 men for the whole of the second half to boot.
Elsewhere, Leeds United fans will be pinching themselves after seeing their side rack up their third win on the spin after narrowly dumping the hapless Blackburn Rovers out of the cup on the same night.
WATCH: Christopher Schindler on Mark Hudson and defensive partnerships
The much maligned Chris Wood came off the bench to score the only goal of the game in the 85th minute, though his critics will point out he had two stabs at it from point blank range.
Still, following their comfortable win at Cardiff last weekend, Leeds are up to 15th in the league and for now Gary Monk’s job is safe-ish.
On Saturday they welcome Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich to Elland Road and will be hoping to continue their good run of form, given the Tractor Boys’ lacklustre performance in front of goal away from home.
Having found the net just twice this season away from Portman Road, this fixture has all the hallmarks of a dour encounter and once again I’ll be opting for a draw. Ladbrokes have Leeds 11/8 to prove me wrong, with Ipswich 21/10 and the same price for a stalemate.
By the way, apologies for last week’s treble where I correctly predicted both Town and Leeds would win, but the Geordies lost at home to Wolves to scupper the deal - Rafa, it’s no good beating the same team three days later and expecting praise from me!
Who will win?
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This weekend's treble:
Reading v Town – Draw @ 21/10
Leeds v Ipswich – Draw @ 21/10
QPR v Birmingham – Draw @ 21/10
A £10 stake with Ladbrokes ‘The Nation’s Favourite’ returns £297.91
Place your bets at www.ladbrokes.com
