Two of the in-form sides in the Championship meet at the Madejski Stadium as Reading take on Middlesbrough this weekend.
The Royals have won four of their last five matches in the second tier, while Aitor Karanka's side are on a five-match run of victories.
Reading
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Steve Clarke's Reading made a sluggish start to the season, failing to pick up a win in their first four outings, but a win over Brentford at the end of August launched them on a run of four wins from their last five.
Two early goals last weekend set up a 2-1 win over another of the in-form sides in the division, Burnley, lifting the Royals up to third in the standings, just one place behind this weekend's opponents.
Reading's defending has been key to their improved form in the Championship. The team have kept three clean sheets in their opening nine fixtures, but have let in just seven goals – only Middlesbrough have conceded fewer times.
The team have shown a lot of attacking prowess too, netting 14 times so far this season, just three goals fewer than Boro, who have the best record in the division. Five of their goals came in an emphatic 5-1 victory over Ipswich Town last month, during which Orlando Sa scored a hat-trick, but the summer signing has not scored since, having had to serve a three-match suspension.
Reading were knocked out of the League Cup last week, having initially taken the lead against Everton, before the Premier League side came from behind to claim the win. As a result, this will be Reading's fifth match in 18 days.
Despite Reading's impressive form in recent weeks, Clarke's side have won just one of their four fixtures at home so far this season, with three of their four wins in the Championship coming away from the Madejski.
Recent form: DWWLWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWLWLW
Middlesbrough
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Aitor Karanka's side also had a difficult start to the season, winning just one of their first four fixtures, while losing to newly-promoted Bristol City.
Since that loss though, Boro have won five straight matches in the Championship, leaving them second behind leaders Brighton & Hove Albion after nine outings.
The team kept their run going last weekend, securing a comfortable 3-0 win over Leeds United, with top scorer Diego Fabbrini among those on the scoresheet, netting his fourth goal of the campaign for the side that are looking to go one better than last season, having been beaten in the playoff final by Norwich City.
Boro have the best defensive and attacking records in the second tier so far this season. The team have conceded just five goals to date, and are yet to let in more than one in a single match, leaving them with four clean sheets.
Middlesbrough's 3-0 victory over Leeds gave the team their third three-goal performance in their last five outings, and their fourth of the season, taking their total to 17 for the campaign so far.
Karanka's side's strong form has extended to the League Cup, with the team having cruised to a 3-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers last month, giving them a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United coming up after the international break.
Recent form: LWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWWW
Team News
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Orlando Sa is available again for the home side having served a three-match suspension for a sending-off last month, but Anton Ferdinand is still sidelined with a thigh injury.
Stephen Quinn and Matej Vydra both picked up injuries in the win over Burnley last weekend, and both are still struggling with knee problems, making it likely that they will sit out this fixture.
Middlesbrough defender James Husband has extended his loan spell with Fulham, so will remain unavailable for his parent club this week.
Karanka did not reveal any fresh injury concerns following the win over Leeds, so Daniel Ayala and Christian Stuani, who returned from knocks last time out, should be available again.
Reading possible starting lineup:
Bond, Gunter, Hector, McShane, Obita, Williams, Norwood, Piazon, McCleary, Sa, Robson-Kanu
Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Konstantopoulos, Kalas, Ayala, Amorebieta, Clayton, Friend, Leadbitter, Stuani, Downing, Adomah, Nugent
Head To Head
When the sides met at the Madejski Stadium last season, the two teams shared a goalless draw, leaving Boro without a win against Reading in three meetings.
Boro last beat the Royals during the 2013-14 season, clinching a 3-0 win over this weekend's opponents, who were reduced to 10 men.
In 18 previous meetings between the two teams, there has not been much to separate them. Reading have won seven fixtures, while Middlesbrough have picked up six victories and five matches have ended level.
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Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:
We say: Reading 1-2 Middlesbrough
Despite Reading's strong form in recent weeks, they have not played their best football at home this season, while Middlesbrough come into this match as one of the best teams in the division. Although Reading will be boosted by Sa's return, Boro will be favourites to extend their winning run.
Sian Cowper
