Preview: Huddersfield Town vs. Reading - prediction, team news, lineups

Huddersfield Town square off against Reading in the Championship on Saturday afternoon looking to move within three points of their sixth-placed opponents.

While the Terriers have prevailed in their last five home fixtures, the Royals have won just once away from the Madejski Stadium over the same amount of matches.

Match preview

Having suffered successive defeats to the current top two earlier this month, Veljko Paunovic would have felt that his side could ill-afford any further setbacks over the Christmas and New Year period.

Fortunately for the Royals boss, his players have recorded four points from games against Luton Town and Swansea City, keeping the club in the playoffs ahead of the midway point of the campaign.

Although consistency remains an issue for a team who have proven difficult to stop at times this season, Paunovic would have been impressed with the goalless draw at the Liberty Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Welsh outfit had the opportunity to put five points between third and sixth spot, but the stalemate has left Reading within touching distance of getting back into the automatic promotion race.

Despite only scoring six goals in as many matches, Paunovic's side still possess the fourth-best attacking record in the division.

Goals looked like they would be a problem for Huddersfield this season when they initially struggled to adapt to life under newly-appointed head coach Carlos Corberan.

However, the Terriers now have 27 strikes to their name, with only Josh Koroma and Fraizer Campbell netting more than four times in the second tier.

Corberan will naturally want to see more better contributions from other players, but his team will remain on an upward trajectory as long as they further extend their five-match winning streak at the John Smith's Stadium.

Their latest success against Blackburn Rovers earlier this week came courtesy of a double from centre-back Naby Sarr, the decisive goal coming in the final minute of the contest.

Huddersfield Town Championship form: WLDWLW

Reading Championship form: LWLLWD

Team News

John Swift is in line to make his first Reading start since September after coming through two substitute outings since his return from injury.

Lucas Joao will feature in the squad if he passes a late fitness test, while goalkeeper Rafael Cabral should remain between the sticks despite carrying a minor injury.

Barring any late fitness issues, Corberan could opt against making any alterations to his Huddersfield side.

Alex Pritchard is an alternative for one of the midfield positions if the Spaniard decides to introduce some fresh legs.

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup: Schofield; Pipa, Edmonds-Green, Sarr, Toffolo; Eiting, Hogg; Mbenza, Bacuna, O'Brien; Campbell

Reading possible starting lineup: Cabral; Esteves, Holmes, Morrison, McIntyre; Rinomhota, Laurent; Olise, Swift, Ejaria; Baldock

We say: Huddersfield Town 1-1 Reading

Reading have been unpredictable for large parts of this season, an argument strengthened by their goalless draw at Swansea. We make Huddersfield the favourites for this contest, but the visitors are capable of ending their opponents' winning streak in Yorkshire.

Top betting tip

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