Preview: Millwall vs. Reading - prediction, team news, lineups

Surprise playoff contenders Millwall host an in-form Reading side at The Den on Saturday as they look to keep pace with the teams above them in the Championship table.

The Royals are unbeaten in their last nine games across all competitions, however, and will not be easily beaten in London.

Match preview

© Reuters

Millwall find themselves eighth in the table and just one point off the playoff places after a strong run of form since Gary Rowett replaced Neil Harris as head coach.

The London side are unbeaten in their last five games across all competitions, but they were reduced to 10 men and held to a 0-0 draw against Stoke City in their last outing.

Rowett has overseen just two defeats since taking charge in October - one of which was a 2-1 loss to Saturday's opponents Reading in the former Stoke and Birmingham City manager's second game in charge and he will be eager for revenge this time around.

The second loss came more recently - a shock 2-1 reverse against bottom-of-the-league Barnsley last month.

Reading will be hoping to maintain their excellent form and do the double over Millwall this term, coming into the contest with plenty of momentum.

The Royals have not lost in their last nine games across all competitions, winning five and drawing four since a 3-2 defeat to Birmingham at the beginning of December.

Mark Bowen's side are 14th in the league but are only five points behind Saturday's opponents with a game in hand on the rest of the division, bar Nottingham Forest.

Reading have had an extra fixture to deal with, being forced into an FA Cup replay against Blackpool before eventually triumphing 2-0 in their last outing.

Millwall Championship form: WLDWWD Millwall form (all competitions): LDWWWD

Reading Championship form: DWWWWD Reading form (all competitions): WWWDDW

Team News

© Reuters

Millwall manager Rowett has a handful of selection issues to deal with ahead of Reading's visit to The Den.

Aiden O'Brien, Ben Thompson, Tom Elliott and Ryan Leonard are all likely to miss the contest with various injury problems for the hosts.

Meanwhile, Shaun Williams is suspended following his sending-off against Stoke last time out.

Reading boss Bowen, on the other hand, has a significantly shorter injury list to contend with. Andy Yiadom is a major doubt for the contest, but aside from that, Bowen has a fully-fit squad.

Millwall possible starting lineup: Bialkowski; Hutchinson, Pearce, Cooper; Romeo, Thompson, Molumby, M. Wallace; J. Wallace, Bradshaw, Mahoney

Reading possible starting lineup: Cabral; Gunter, Morrison, Moore, Blackett; Pele, Adam; Meier, Swift, Ejaria; Baldock

© Sports Mole / SM

We say: Millwall 0-1 Reading

Both sides are in good form, but Reading's record of winning four of their last five Championship games is very impressive and the Royals could extend their unbeaten run with a narrow win over Millwall.