Reading welcome Swansea to the Madejski Stadium in Sunday’s big Sky Bet Championship clash.
Victory for Reading will see them remain seventh and cut their deficit to sixth-placed Swansea down to five points.
Steve Cooper’s Swans however can go third with a win and wrap up the play-off battle with two rounds of fixtures left.
Team News
Lucas Joao is a doubt for Reading after missing their goalless draw at Luton on Wednesday evening with a dislocated shoulder.
Liam Moore (leg/shoulder) is also a doubt and the pair could join Tom McIntyre (quad) and Michael Morrison (hamstring) on the sidelines.
Swansea could again be without Andre Ayew after a hamstring injury kept their main striker out of their midweek loss to QPR.
Steven Brenda (ankle) and Tivonge Rushesha (knee) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Reading are winless in their last 13 league meetings against Swansea (D6, L7).
- Swansea are unbeaten in their last regular season league trips to Reading (W3, D2).
- Reading have lost their last two home meetings against Swansea by 4-1 results.
- Jamal Lowe has scored three goals in Swansea’s last two away matches.
- Nine of Lucas Joao’s 19 league goals for Reading this season have come at the Madejski Stadium.
Prediction
This is an absolute must-win for Reading who just seem to have run out of steam in recent weeks, with just one win in their last eight which is a worry given that if they lose this then the play-offs are sorted.
Swansea meanwhile have been in a rut themselves across the last month but their overall consistency has put them firmly in position to seal the last play-off spot here, although they are going to have to improve here after a lacklustre effort on Tuesday evening.
Add in the early kick off and this match feels like one which could be quite scrappy but if Swansea can find their scoring boots, I think they should have enough given their fiercely impressive form in this fixture.
Prediction: Reading 0-1 Swansea
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