Reading visit Elland Road this weekend for a clash with Leeds United, as the pressure continues to grow on Jaap Stam, whose Royals face a vitally important month in the Sky Bet Championship.  

Reading and Leeds have had contrasting starts to the season, with Stam’s side struggling in 20^th with just nine points, whilst Thomas Christiansen’s Whites are fifth with 20.

Last year, the rivals were competing for the play-offs for much of the season, and despite differing starts, Saturday’s clash should be an entertaining contest between two sides looking to play football in the right way.

One battle we believe could be key to the outcome of the result is how Reading’s £1.35m-rated Joey van den Berg, deals with Leeds’ main attacking threat, £2.25m-rated Samuel Saiz.

Van den Berg has lined up in both a holding midfield role and in a defensive three this season, and it would be no surprise to see the 31-year-old tasked with stopping Saiz on Saturday.

Saiz is key to Leeds’ attack, and will presumably line-up in the number 10 role behind Pierre-Michel Lasogga.

If the 26-year-old is at his best, Leeds will take some stopping, which is why it is so vital that Reading, who are in desperate need of a result, nullify his threat.

Van den Berg could be key to stopping Saiz, and if Reading’s enforcer can get under the skin of his Spanish opponent during the opening stages, Reading could come away from Elland Road with a positive result.

Leeds and Reading fans… Let us know your thoughts!