Reading host Stockport County in the race for a League One play-off spot.
Victory will lift Reading up to fifth if Barnsley fail to win elsewhere, whilst Stockport will leapfrog the Royals into sixth with a win.
Team News
Reading could be without Jeriel Dorsett and Andy Yiadom plus various unnamed players due to illness sweeping through the squad.
Mamadi Camara (groin), Chem Campbell (unspecified), Michael Craig (hamstring) and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan (hip) remain absent.
Stockport have no fresh injury concerns to report following their FA Cup exit at Crystal Palace.
When is Kick-Off?
Reading host Stockport at Select Car Leasing Stadium in a 3pm GMT kick-off on Saturday 18 January, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Reading has avoided defeat in four of their last six meetings against Stockport (W2, D2, L2).
- Stockport have won one of their last eight visits to Reading (W1, D2, L5).
- Reading has scored three goals in their last two home games against Stockport without conceding.
- Mamadi Camara has scored in each of Reading’s last two League One matches at home (W2).
- Stockport have claimed one point in their last four away games in League One (D1, L3).
Prediction
With ten points in their last four league games, Reading certainly do have the momentum and this is hopefully a chance to put the lessons from a well-fought extra-time FA Cup loss to Burnley into action, providing that they have a strong enough squad due to illness.
Currently without a win in four league games and struggling lately on the road, Stockport really need to start cutting out their defensive errors if want to return to winning ways and stay right in the play-off hunt – especially after a defeat to Mansfield in their last league outing.
Throw in the fact that this is a pivotal mid-season game in the play-off race and I expect a close battle but with illness affecting the hosts, a draw might be a decent result that could be crucial come end of season.
Prediction: Reading 1-1 Stockport
Result: Reading 1-3 Stockport