Two teams in close proximity in the League One table will lock horns at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Reading welcoming Wycombe Wanderers.
Reading have picked up 39 points from their 36 league matches this season to sit in 17th position in the third tier, while Wycombe occupy 15th, two points ahead of their opponents in this match.
Match preview
© Reuters
Reading will enter Saturday's contest off the back of a 3-1 success at Carlisle United, with the Royals leading 3-0 in Cumbria before the home side scored a consolation in the 71st minute.
Ruben Selles's side have picked up six points from their last three league games, with their recent form moving them up into 17th position in the table, five points clear of the relegation zone.
Reading are still very much involved in a battle for survival at this stage of the campaign, and it would be devastating for the club to suffer back-to-back relegations, but their form since the end of January has been solid, winning five, drawing three and losing two of their last 10 league fixtures.
The Royals have been strong at home this season, boasting a record of nine wins, four draws and five defeats from 18 matches, picking up 31 points in the process.
Reading are bidding to make it a league double over Wycombe this season, meanwhile, having recorded a 2-1 victory when the two sides locked horns for the reverse match at the end of November.
© Reuters
Wycombe have only been victorious in one of their last nine matches against Reading in all competitions, which proved to be a 1-0 success in the Championship in February 2021.
The Blues, who finished ninth in League One last season, will enter this match off the back of a 4-2 home defeat to Barnsley, with the result leaving them in 15th position in the table.
Matt Bloomfield's side are seven points clear of the relegation zone, but they have only won one of their last five League One matches, losing three times in the process.
Wycombe have been inconsistent on their travels this season, meanwhile, winning four, drawing five and losing eight of their 17 matches, picking up 17 points in the process.
The Blues have lost their last two away games in League One to Bolton Wanderers and Stevenage, but they did record a 3-1 victory over Cheltenham Town on their travels at the start of last month.
Team News
Reading are hopeful that Jeriel Dorsett will be able to overcome a knock to be involved this weekend, but the match is expected to come too soon for Tom Holmes, who is still struggling with a back problem.
Due to the manner of the performance against Carlisle, it would not be a surprise to see head coach Selles name the same starting XI for this weekend's contest.
Harvey Knibbs netted a brace last time out and will continue in the number 10 position, while there should be another start through the middle for Sam Smith, who has eight league goals to his name this term.
As for Wycombe, David Wheeler will be missing through suspension, having been sent off less than a minute after being introduced as a substitute against Barnsley.
The Blues did not pick up any fresh injury problems last time out, though, so it is expected to be largely the same squad available for this weekend's contest.
Beryly Lubala has scored one League One goal since his arrival in the latter stages of the January transfer window, and the 26-year-old should again lead the Wycombe line on Saturday afternoon.
Reading possible starting lineup:
Button; Yiadom, Mbengue, Bindon, Mola; Wing, Craig; Azeez, Knibbs, Ehibhatiomhan; Smith
Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Ravizzoli; Grimmer, Low, Tafazolli, Leahy; Butcher, Scowen; McCleary, Taylor, Sadlier; Lubala
We say: Reading 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers
Reading's home form this season has been relatively strong, winning nine of their 18 matches, and we are expecting the Royals to triumph again on Saturday in order to boost their hopes of staying in the division.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
