Preview: Reading vs. MK Dons - prediction, team news, lineups

Reading will look to distract themselves from their poor league form when they play host to MK Dons in Saturday's FA Cup tie.

While the League One hosts are low on confidence, their fourth-tier opponents will carry some momentum into the first-round meeting after claiming consecutive victories.

Match preview

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Reading experienced more off-the-field drama during the week after the EFL confirmed that the club would face an independent disciplinary commission over money owed to His Majesty's Revenue & Customs.

Owner Dai Yongge will also be the subject of a personal hearing in November over the money owed for unpaid debts in September and October.

The Royals, who have had four points deducted this season, staged a protest before and during last Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Portsmouth.

Ruben Selles's side established a two-goal lead against the league leaders following strikes from Lewis Wing and Charlie Savage, but Pompey fought back to go into the break on level terms, before Terry Devlin netted a second-half winner to condemn Reading to a fifth consecutive league defeat.

With the basement side currently eight points adrift of safety, they may welcome the distraction of Saturday's cup tie, as they prepare to compete in the first round of the FA Cup for the first time since the 2001-02 season.

MK Dons, meanwhile, recently experienced a change of manager after the club's hierarchy sacked Graham Alexander following an eight-game winless league run.

They subsequently appointed Gateshead manager Mike Williamson as his successor, bringing an end to the 39-year-old's four-year tenure with the Tynesiders.

After beginning his time in charge with a 1-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley, Williamson has made an impact in the last two matches, guiding the team to consecutive home victories.

A commanding 4-1 triumph over Bradford City represented Williamson's first win as MK Dons manager, before he watched his side back up that result with a 3-1 win against Swindon Town thanks to efforts from Max Dean and Warren O'Hora as well as a George McEachran own goal.

MK Dons will now head on their travels for Saturday's cup tie, where they will attempt to claim their first away victory since beating Oxford United in September's EFL Trophy clash.

Team News

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Reading are still expected to be without the injured trio of Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Tom McIntyre and Ovie Ejaria.

Amadou Salif Mbengue will miss the match through suspension after receiving a red card for his part in a post-match melee against Portsmouth.

After featuring as a substitute in the last two games, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan is in contention to start Saturday's cup tie.

As for MK Don, Dean Lewington, Ash Hunter and Nathan Harness are ruled out through injury, while Ellis Harrison is also unlikely to feature after missing the last three matches.

After seeing his team win consecutive home games, Williamson could be tempted to select the same lineup for a third consecutive game.

Having scored four goals in his last four appearances, Dean will look to continue his fine form when he leads the line on Saturday.

Reading possible starting lineup:

Button; Yiadom, Dean, Bindon, Guinness-Walker; Azeez, Wing, Savage, Knibbs; Smith, Ehibhatiomhan

MK Dons possible starting lineup:

MacGillivray; O'Hora, Tucker, Harvie; Norman, Gilbey, Robson, Payne, Tomlinson; Grant; Dean

We say: Reading 1-2 MK Dons

While Reading may play their football in the league above MK Dons, they head into the weekend off the back of a poor run of form.

In contrast to their hosts, MK Dons will be full of confidence following consecutive victories, and we think that they will continue to build momentum with a win in Saturday's cup tie.

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