Reading play host to Stoke City on Sunday afternoon looking for the victory which will keep the club in the mix for top spot in the Championship standings.
Although the teams begin matchday eight separated by 10 places, the visitors will move to within one point of the home side with victory at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having only narrowly avoided relegation last season, many Reading fans were pessimistic about their chances of an improved campaign in 2022-23, and that would not have changed for the better when they lost tamely at Blackpool on the opening day.
Since then, however, the Royals have been one of the surprise teams in the EFL, collecting 12 points from their last six games to spend a small period in first place.
A three-match winning and clean-sheet streak came to an abrupt end when they lost 4-0 at Sheffield United in midweek, but Paul Ince will put the defeat into context.
While Reading have already suffered two away defeats by that scoreline this season, they have a perfect record in the league at home, beating Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough.
Six different players have gotten on the scoresheet during those fixtures, and there will be confidence that a fourth success can be posted against opponents who are under new management.
© Reuters
Alex Neil surprised many by leaving a Sunderland side which he had recently guided to promotion for a Stoke outfit which are very much a middle-of-the-range Championship club.
His arrival was a consequence of just four points coming from their opening five matches, but the Potters have since gotten back on track with the same amount of points being claimed from fixtures with Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City.
Not for the first time this season, Stoke required a last-gasp goal to earn a draw at the bet365 Stadium against the latter, and Neil will take the show of character as a positive as he attempts to move a much-changed squad up the table.
If Stoke avoid defeat at the weekend, it will represent the first time since February that they have gone three successive matches without suffering defeat in the Championship.
That highlights the size of the task ahead of Neil, but he will take belief from no more than one goal being conceded in the last three outings.
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- L
- L
- L
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- L
- D
- L
- W
- D
- D
- L
- D
- L
- W
- D
Team News
© Reuters
With Naby Sarr having suffered an issue with his hamstring in midweek, Tom McIntyre could drop back into the Reading defence.
That would allow Tyrese Fornah to be recalled in midfield, and Ince may be prepared to make just the one alteration for this contest.
However, Baba Rahman is available after returning to the club from Chelsea, while Shane Long is pushing for a recall in attack.
Given the shorter turnaround for Stoke, Neil could make alterations to his starting lineup with Tyrese Campbell at the front of the queue for a recall.
Will Smallbone and Tariqe Fosu-Henry are further alternatives in midfield and attack, and it is also possible that Neil reverts to a back three.
Reading possible starting lineup:
Lumley; Holmes, Hutchinson, McIntyre; Yiadom, Hendrick, Loum, Fornah, Hoilett; Ince, Joao
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bonham; Wilmot, Taylor, Flint, Fox; Baker, Smallbone, Clucas; Campbell, Delap, Fosu-Henry
We say: Reading 2-1 Stoke City
Stoke will play with the enthusiasm which comes naturally under a new manager and will push Reading all the way on Sunday. However, we cannot ignore the Royals' perfect home record, leading us to predict a hard-fought triumph for Ince's side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
