A Hooped battle!
Reading take on Queens Park Rangers on Sunday in a game both teams need to win; a draw and they are both down! As if that pressure isn't enough, the game is live on Sky kicking off at one thirty.
A win for either side would mean they would still have a slim hope of being in the top league for another season; but it's a huge ask!
The last time these teams met was in November when they were both led by different Managers. Brian McDermott was in charge of the Royals side that took a point away from Loftus Road; it was only QPR's and Mark Hughes fourth point of the season and was to be the last one Hughes gained as Rangers boss.
Nigel Atkins was brought in to replace McDermott and many in the football world felt it was a harsh sacking; getting them to the top tier of English football was a minor miracle in itself. No time for sentiment in football it seems.
Mark Hughes was replaced by wheeler dealer Harry Redknapp, or 'Houdini' as he was nicknamed. But even the former Portsmouth and Tottenham boss had his work cut out. Hughes had brought in players that seemed more interested in the wages than the playing side; Harry added his own couple of signings but with no win in the first twelve games he knew he was up against it.
A player the Royals need to watch is January signing Loic Remy; one of the few success stories for the West London club. He has settled into the Premiership very easily and scored some very good goals; the one against Wigan was world class!
Adam Le Fondre is having a very good season in front of goal and he'll prove a handful for the QPR defence who have been leaking goals at the back rather more than Harry would like!
Only one goal seperates these two sides at the bottom of the table and the team that want it more will be the team that get all three points. Should they cancel each other out they will both be in the Championship next season; a win is only just a lifeline.
Home advantage may prove a winner but one of these sides will be down come the final whistle, maybe both.
Relegation really is a kick in the balls.