Preview: Derby County vs. Reading

Consistency is the key for Derby County ahead of their home clash against Reading in the Championship this weekend.

The hosts have been unbeaten in their last two fixtures, the most recent being a 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers, but they have recorded two defeats in their last six encounters.

Nigel Adkins's Reading side managed to get one over their former manager Brian McDermott in midweek with a slender win over Leeds United at the Madejski Stadium.

With aims to return to the Premier League by the end of the season, the Royals have lost just one game in their last six, but with three of them resulting in draws, a victory would push them up the table.

Reading could keep Nick Blackman up front due to Pavel Pogrebnyak's suspension, with Royston Drenthe in support, while Paul Coutts could come in for Will Hughes.

Recent form

Derby County: WLWLWD

Reading: DDLWDW

Possible starting lineups

Derby County: Grant; Smith, Buxton, Keogh, Forsyth; Eustace, Bryson, Coutts, Russel; Martin, Ward

Reading: McCarthy; Kelly, Morrison, Pearce, Bridge; Karacan, Guthrie, Williams; Drenthe, Robson-Kanu, Blackman

Sports Mole says: 1-1