Lincoln City will look to continue their irrepressible run of form when they travel to Berkshire for Saturday's League One meeting with Reading.
The Imps have won each of their last five matches, while the Royals have seen their previous five outings produce two wins and three defeats.
Match preview
© Reuters
Reading bounced back from consecutive defeats to clinch back-to-back victories in their home games against Cambridge United and Northampton Town.
However, instead of claiming a third successive win on Monday, the Royals fell to a heavy 5-2 defeat to promotion-chasing Bolton Wanderers.
Although Lewis Wing and Paul Mukairu got on the scoresheet, an Aaron Collins hat-trick and a brace from former Reading man Jon Dadi Bodvarsson ultimately proved enough to condemn the Royals to their second straight away loss.
Reading, who have been deducted six points this season, still have work to do if they are to guarantee their League One status, with six points currently separating them from the bottom four.
The Royals may be set to face a confident Lincoln side, but they will draw inspiration from their recent home form, having won seven of their previous 10 home games.
© Reuters
After losing to Blackpool in the opening game of 2024, Lincoln were left in 12th position and 11 points adrift of the playoffs.
The Imps have since managed to put together a 15-game unbeaten run to leave themselves in sixth position with five games left to play.
In their most recent outing, Ben House, Joe Taylor and Teddy Bishop all get on the scoresheet to guide Lincoln to a 3-1 victory over basement side Carlisle United.
Although they have won five consecutive matches, the Imps cannot afford to rest on their laurels, with Oxford sitting outside the top six due to goal difference.
Michael Skubala will be challenging his players to produce another strong defensive performance this weekend, having seen his side keep 10 clean sheets across their 15-game undefeated streak.
Team News
© Reuters
Reading boss Ruben Selles could be tempted to bring Andy Yiadom into the side, which would see Clinton Mola vacate his right-back position to operate on the left side of defence.
Mukairu may also be considered for a starting spot after he came off the bench to score a late goal in Monday's 5-2 defeat to Bolton.
Sam Smith will continue to lead the line for the Royals, with the forward looking to add to his 11-goal tally for the League One season.
As for the visitors, goalkeeper Lukas Jensen was forced to pull out of the starting lineup for Monday's win over Carlisle after sustaining a back injury in the warm-up.
Jordan Wright subsequently came into the team to make his first league appearance of the season, and he will retain his place in the side if Jensen is unable to recover in time for the weekend.
The Imps are still unable to call upon the services of Ethan Hamilton and Conor McGrandles, who are set to miss the rest of the season through injury.
Reading possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Yiadom, Mbengue, Bindon, Mola; Wing, Savage; Azeez, Knibbs, Mukairu; Smith
Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Wright; Mitchell, O'Connor, Roughan; Sorensen, Moylan, Erhahon, Bishop, Hackett; Taylor, House
We say: Reading 1-3 Lincoln City
Reading usually save their best form for home surroundings, but we think they may come off second-best against a Lincoln team that will have significant momentum behind them following a five-game winning run.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
