Preston North End welcome Reading to Deepdale in Sunday’s big Sky Bet Championship clash.
Victory will send Preston eighth whereas Reading can climb as high as third with a win, although the Royals need to beat Preston by three or more goals in order to move up two positions from fifth
Team News
Sean Maguire faces a late fitness test if he is to feature for Preston after missing their midweek win at Birmingham City with an unspecified injury
Louis Moult, Declan Rudd, Billy Bodin (all knee) and Patrick Bauer (Achilles) remain absent.
Reading could be without Michael Olise due to a shoulder injury suffered during the Royals’ midweek win over Coventry.
Andy Yiadom (fitness), Liam Moore (foot), Felipe Araruna (knee) and George Puscas (hernia) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Preston have won just one of their last six meetings against Reading (W1, L5).
- Reading have won each of their last two visits to Deepdale after failing to win any of their four trips beforehand (W2, D1, L3).
- Daniel Johnson has scored in two of Preston’s last three home games (W2, L1).
- Lucas Joao has scored three goals in his last two Reading appearances, with the Royals going on to win on both occasions (W2).
- No team in the top six have drawn less than the four games in which Reading picked up four draws.
Prediction
Inconsistency has been a huge issue for Preston this season but they have lost just one of their last five home games, so will definitely provide Reading with tough opposition if can shore up their defensive difficulties.
Reading meanwhile are in solid form and were ruthless in their dismantling of Coventry in midweek, with Joao in particular proving tough for oppositional defences to quieten so he has to be a particular focus for Preston if they want to get a result.
Add in the Royals’ recent form in this fixture and I am going for an away win if the visitors turn up and deliver another confident display.
Prediction: Preston 0-2 Reading
Result: Preston 0-0 Reading