Chelsea vs. Reading: Complete Preview, Prediction, Start Time and More

Chelsea take on Reading in their second match of the 2012/13 English Premier League season—an unusual midweek fixture due to the Blues' European Super Cup and World Club Cup participation.

It's almost a matter of David vs. Goliath in this one as the European champions and title contending Chelsea take on the newly promoted Reading at Stamford Bridge—a venue where they haven't been beaten by Reading in their nine encounters previously.

Roberto Di Matteo's men will be looking to build on their strong performance last week where they picked up all three points and recorded a clean sheet against Wigan Athletic. Chelsea scored two goals in the opening six minutes to chalk up a comfortable 2-0 victory and will be eager to do the same again here.

Reading, on the other hand, picked up a valuable point against Stoke City—albeit a lucky one via a late penalty goal. Goalkeeper Adam Federici's howler earlier in the match looked to have cost the Royals all three points, and they will know that similar mistakes cannot be allowed against a disciplined and brilliant attack that Chelsea possess.

Will the home side get the job done, or is there a surprise in store for our mid-week English Premier League action this week? Read on to find all the details, predictions and more for this match.

Date: Wednesday, August 22

Start time: 2:45 p.m. ET

Venue: Stamford Bridge (Chelsea)

Key question: Can Chelsea's attack be stopped?

To be completely honest, this is Chelsea's match to lose. Reading are a solid football club and will be competitive right throughout the season, but the simply do not compare to the attacking superiority and power that Chelsea has in their lineup.

Thus the outcome of this match seemingly hinges on whether or not the Royals can keep in check the likes of Fernando Torres, Oscar, Eden Hazard and Juan Mata—all of whom are likely to feature for the Blues in this one.

Summer recruit Hazard was superb in his opening match for Chelsea—setting up the first goal, winning the penalty for the second, and providing the spark required in attack to make them a genuine title threat this season. Reading will have a difficult time keeping him under wraps—particularly if Federici doesn't bring his best performance to this one.

You'd have to think that Chelsea simply have too much strength in attack; they have too many different options to strike from any too many alternatives if one avenue isn't working. Having said that, stranger things have happened, and the Royals could find a way to shut down the Blues star-studded lineup.

Probable Starting Lineups

According to BBC Sport, Chelsea midfielder Ramires should feature in this clash, having recovered from the injury that kept him out of their match against Wigan. He is likely to take his spot in the Blues starting lineup on the right wing,

Goal.com has the probable starting lineups for both sides as listed below, with the only change that of Chelsea defender David Luiz. The defender tweeted out this morning that he would miss the match due to injury. Gary Cahill will take his place in the starting side.

What They're Saying

Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has lauded the praises of Eden Hazard heading into the match—stating via BBC Sport that the midfielder may only have shown a glimpse of what he is capable of in the English Premier League this season.

"

He left his mark on the game. In pre-season, he showed that kind of quality in training. Now, in the Premier League, hopefully there's more to come from him.

"

He also commented on the situation of summer recruit Oscar and on their opponents for this match, Reading, stating via Vital Football that:

"

He [Oscar] has not been long with us, so we need to give him the right time to get him used to the team, and our tactics, and slowly put him into the team.

They [Reading] don`t concede many and are good on the counter attack. I always found it hard to play against them.

"

Meanwhile, Reading goalkeeper Federici has insisted the Royals will not be overawed by the daunting task ahead of them, stating via BBC Sport that:

"

I'm looking forward to the challenge and I am sure all the other boys will be. I've played against [Fernando] Torres before in a cup game and he scored a hat-trick, it will be a good test for us.

The boys worked extremely hard against Stoke, they are a big strong team and we matched them in every department. We got the deserved point and looking back we were a bit unlucky not to get all three.

"

Three Key Numbers

0. Chelsea have never lost at Stamford Bridge to Reading and have not lost on any ground to the Royals since a Division Two match in March, 1930.

150. Fernando Torres is making his 150th appearance in the English Premier League and has netted 72 goals in the process. With the likes of Hazard, Mata and Ramires behind him, El Nino could well find himself on the end of another goal or two in this one.

8. Reading have won eight of their last 11 league matches away from the Madejski Stadium, and whilst most of those have come against weaker opposition, their away form could well surprise a few people in this one. 

Prediction

No matter how much we talk about Reading being a surprise package, Chelsea are the clear favorites for this match and deservedly so.

They are the better side—they have a stronger defense and a more potent attack—and should run out comfortable victors in this one.

I expect the Blues to build a comfortable two-goal lead by halftime—giving good game time to the likes of Oscar in the second half, and will run out comfortable three-goal winners. The Brazilian will score his first Premier League goal for the club, with Juan Mata and Fernando Torres also going to nab goals in this one.

Final score: Chelsea 3, Reading 0

What are your predictions for the match?

Comment below or hit me up on Twitter: Follow @dantalintyre