Preview: Reading vs. Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest have quickly become one of the form teams in the Championship under the guidance of Dougie Freedman.

Moralewas low when Stuart Pearce parted company with the club following his struggles to turn the side into promotion contenders, but Freedman has boosted confidence and Forest are unbeaten in February, winning four of their five league games.

The excellent run of results continued on Wednesday as Freedman's side came from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1 at the City Ground to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

Due to the inconsistent form which plagued the early stages of their campaign, a top-six finish is still unlikely, with 12 points currently separating them in ninth from Watford in sixth.

However, Freedman will be fully aware that wins should keep the pressure on the teams above them, and his side travel to the Madejski Stadium on Saturday full of confidence ahead of their meeting with Reading.

Inconsistency remains the big issue for Reading, and Steve Clarke was left frustrated once again as his side slipped to a 3-0 defeat against a clinical Huddersfield Town.

That defeat left the Royals 15th in the Championship, and only a fine run of form will allow supporters to finally forget about the threat of relegation.

Clarke is almost certain to make changes following the disappointing performance against Huddersfield, with Hal Robson-Kanu and Nathaniel Chalobah pushing for recalls to the starting lineup.

Freedman could name an unchanged side, which means that the likes of Michael Mancienne and Matty Fryatt are once again set to be forced to settle for a place on the bench.

Reading:

Form in Championship: WWLLWL Form in all competitions: WLWLWL

Possible starting lineup: Federici, Kelly, Hector, Pearce, Obita, Norwood, Chalobah, Robson-Kanu, McCleary, Taylor, Yakubu

Nottingham Forest:

Recent form: LWWDWW

Possible starting lineup: Darlow, Lichaj, Lascelles, Collins, Fox, Gardner, Burke, Lansbury, Osborn, Antonio, Blackstock

Sports Mole says: 1-1