Tottenham Hotspur vs. Reading: Team news and preview

Matthew Lewis

Tottenham Hotspur will once again try to break into the top three with what should be an easy match against Reading at White Hart Lane.

Tottenham Hotspur may have had some difficulties this so far season, but it'd be hard to paint their 36 points from 20 matches as anything but a success. After a hugely successful 2012, Spurs will be looking to start 2013 with a bang, and since the year begins with a home match against disappointing Reading, they should be able to climb back into the top three, at least temporarily.

The visitors probably won't expect much out of this one. The Royals have picked up four points in their past two games to move them above Queens Park Rangers, but they're still deep in the relegation zone and in serious trouble. Their performance against Manchester City three matches ago will give them some hope, but on paper they're hopelessly overmatched against Spurs, and new signing Daniel Caricco won't arrive in time to provide much-needed reinforcements.

Tottenham won't be able to pull off their devastating counterattacking game against a side that will presumably defend very deep and hope to snatch a goal through a lucky break or a set piece, but the hosts should still have enough quality to see this one through fairly comfortably.