Reading vs. Crystal Palace

Ahead of the draw for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, this was probably the outcome that both Reading and Crystal Palace wanted.

With the greatest of respect, these two teams would have been the underdogs against the other sides left in the competition. So, at the Madejski Stadium on Friday night, the duo will believe that a place in the last four is there for the taking. <hr /><h2>Reading</h2><!-- img 23527 loc="R" sz="300x225" -->

At first glance, Reading's season has been largely unremarkable to date.

After all, Brian McDermott's men are <a href="/football/championship/table.html">14th in the Championship table</a> following Tuesday evening's disappointing 3-1 defeat away at Huddersfield Town.

However, it is worth noting that . . .