Brighton & Hove Albion will continue their pre-season preparations ahead of the new campaign with a trip to the Madejski Stadium to face Reading on Saturday.
While this fixture will be the Royals' final warm-up match before the 2022-23 season begins, the Seagulls still have two more friendly games scheduled before their Premier League opener next month.
Match preview
© Reuters
After failing to beat Benfica and West Ham United in their previous two friendlies, Reading returned to winning ways when they secured a 2-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday.
Yakou Meite opened the scoring 10 minutes before half time with his third goal of pre-season, before summer signing Jeff Hendrick – who has joined on loan from Newcastle United – fired in a second for the Royals towards the end of the second half.
Paul Ince, who has taken the reins at Reading on a permanent basis following his interim stint last season, has been restricted in the transfer market this summer as the club are under an embargo.
However, veteran striker Shane Long is one of four players to arrive on a free transfer along with Ince's son Tom Ince, Sam Hutchinson and Dean Bouzanis, while both Hendrick and Joe Lumley have joined on loan.
Reading, who will be hoping to improve on last season's disappointing 21st-placed finish in the Championship, now have just over a week to prepare for their opening game of the new season away at Blackpool on July 30.
© Reuters
Brighton followed up a goalless draw with Union SG in their opening warm-up fixture with a 4-1 win against Estoril last weekend.
Neal Maupay bagged a brace to put the Seagulls two goals in front, while Kaoru Mitoma and new recruit Deniz Undav were also on the scoresheet to help Graham Potter's side win comfortably in Portugal.
Brighton are yet to make waves in the transfer window, with youngsters Julio Enciso and Simon Adingra the only two summer arrivals at present. The Seagulls have already allowed Yves Bissouma to join Tottenham Hotspur, while the future of left-back Marc Cucurella remains uncertain amid interest from Manchester City.
Potter's men impressed last season in the Premier League, finishing in ninth place which is their highest-ever top-flight finish to date, and the Seagulls will be hoping to build on their success with another top-half finish in 2022-23.
After Saturday's friendly with Reading, Brighton are scheduled to face Brentford and Espanyol in warm-up fixtures before beginning the new Premier League season away at Manchester United on August 7.
- W
- L
- D
- W
- D
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Reading striker Long missed the win over Wimbledon after picking up a knock to his back in the previous game against West Ham, and he will be assessed ahead of kickoff to see if he can feature on Saturday.
Lumley was the only unused substitute on Tuesday, but the goalkeeper could return to the starting lineup against Brighton at the expense of Bouzanis.
The likes of Meite, Lucas Joao, Junior Hoilett and Ovie Ejaria all played last time out and are expected to feature again this weekend.
As for Brighton, Potter used 22 players in the victory over Estoril and he is expected to make changes again throughout the match at the Madejski Stadium.
Summer signings Undav and Enciso came on for the final half an hour last time out, and the forwards will now be hoping to force their way into the first XI on Saturday, although they face competition from the likes of Maupay, Danny Welbeck and Leandro Trossard.
Adam Webster, Tariq Lamptey and Enock Mwepu all missed out against Estoril for precautionary reasons and it remains to be seen whether they will feature against the Royals.
Reading possible starting lineup:
Lumley; Holmes, Hutchinson, McIntyre; Yiadom, Hendrick, Fornah, Hoilett; Ejaria; Meite, Joao
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; Veltman, Dunk, Duffy; March, Caicedo, Alzate, Cucurella; Gross; Trossard, Maupay
We say: Reading 0-2 Brighton & Hove Albion
Both teams will head into Saturday's fixture in buoyant mood after securing victories last time out, and they will be keen to build momentum heading into the new season.
Reading have already failed to win in two friendlies against opposition from higher divisions this summer, and they may find it challenging against Brighton, who should have enough quality in their side to come out on top at the Madejski Stadium.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
