Preview:Blackburn Rovers vs. Reading

Two teams expecting to challenge for the playoff places this season will go head to head at Ewood Park this Saturday as Blackburn Rovers host Reading.

The visitors will be looking to build off a comfortable 3-0 victory over Blackpool last time out, a result that halted a seven-match winless streak in all competitions.

They still remain in the bottom half of the Championship table, although the inconsistent nature of many of the teams above them means that they are just five points adrift of the top six.

What will please Nigel Adkins almost as much as the three points against Blackpool is that goals finally returned to the side, having watched his players fail to score in five of their previous seven outings.

Not only that, but they also kept a clean sheet, which will be a big bonus considering that only four teams have conceded more than the Royals in the Championship this season.

Adkins will still be without Garath McCleary, Jem Karacan, Danny Guthrie, Aaron Tshibola and Shaun Cummings for this weekend's match, although there could be a place on the bench for Anton Ferdinand and Danny Williams, who are both nearing returns from injuries of their own.

Michael Hector is also suspended for the visitors, meaning that Adkins will be forced into at least one change from the victory over Blackpool.

Reading can expect a much sterner test at Ewood Park against a Blackburn side just one point away from the playoff places and unbeaten in their last four games.

An impressive comeback victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground last time out made it back-to-back wins for Gary Bowyer's side, and another this weekend would make it three maximum point hauls in a row for the first time since the tail end of last season.

Rovers have kept consecutive clean sheets at Ewood Park, but their defensive record is a lingering issue having conceded more goals than any other side in the top half.

Even so, only league leaders Derby County have beaten Blackburn in their own back yard in their last 13 Championship outings in front of their own fans.

Bowyer could opt to name an unchanged side this weekend, although Rudy Gestede is pushing for a start having scored after coming off the bench against Forest.

Recent form

Blackburn: WWDDLD

Reading: WLLLDD

Possible starting lineups

Blackburn: Steele; Baptiste, Hanley, Duffy, Olsson; Tunnicliffe, Cairney, Evans, Marshall; Rhodes, Gestede

Reading: Federici; Gunter, Cooper, Pearce, Obita; Mackie, Akpan, Norwood, Robson-Kanu; Murray, Cox

Sports Mole says: 2-2