READING FC goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi said the Royals believe they are a better team than Fulham as they prepare for their crucial play-off semi-final second leg tie tonight (7.45pm ko).

The veteran shot-stopper made the comments in the wake of Reading’s 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage in the first leg on Saturday evening.

Royals finished third in the Championship table, three places ahead of the Cottagers, and Player of the Season Al-Habsi said their performance in west London showed why Jaap Stam's men finished higher.

But the 35-year-old Oman international insisted tonight's home leg at Madejski Stadium will nevertheless be a difficult game.

“There is a lot of pressure on both of us now,” he declared. "It’s not an easy game. One team has to win.

“But the way we have played at home all season gives us lots of confidence. We just need to continue that.”

Royals sold out their 2,000 seat allocation at Craven Cottage on Saturday and Al-Habsi wants fans to back the Royals at Madejski Stadium again tonight.

“The fans were fantastic at Fulham and we need that again,” he continued.

“We have to believe in ourselves, we believe we are a better team than Fulham. We went to Craven Cottage and showed why we are third in the table.

“The last league game at home we won 1-0 and we need to do the same job now.”

Bracknell News:

Liam Moore and Ali Al-Habsi applaud the travelling Royals fans at Craven Cottage.

The teams go into the match level on aggregate and the possibility of extra time and even penalties looms if the score line remains the same.

Fulham have a worse record from the spot than Reading, missing seven penalties in the league including Chris Martin's late effort which Al-Habsi saved during Royals’ 1-0 victory back in January.

“We have to be ready for anything but we believe we can get a good win at home,” concluded Al-Habsi.

“We need to think about any situation but hopefully we will finish the game before that.

“Fulham don’t have a good record in the league from the spot, I saved one of theirs earlier this season so hopefully I will continue that.”

Meanwhile, Royals will be without skipper Paul McShane, who begins a three match ban following his red card at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Jordan Obita, who scored Reading's goal at the weekend, is also a major doubt after he left the stadium on crutches with an ankle injury.

However, midfielder Liam Kelly is likely to return from illness, while Joey van den Berg, Tiago Ilori and Reece Oxford all give Stam options in defence as cover for McShane.

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic has no fresh injury concerns and could name the same starting line-up as Saturday.

  • See the Chronicle website for all LIVE action from tonight's game as it happens.