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

Reading and Huddersfield Town meet at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday afternoon looking to end a disappointing campaign on a high.

While the Royals will still want to finish in seventh position after losing out in the Championship playoff race, Huddersfield can finish in 20th spot if they claim all three points.

Match preview

© Reuters

Up until the middle of March, Reading had kept themselves as favourites for the playoffs, reaching that period with three successive wins and clean sheets.

However, while just three defeats have been recorded in 10 fixtures, one win and six draws have left Veljko Paunovic to contemplate changes in the summer.

Sections of the fanbase are justified in feeling content with a solid campaign under the Serbian, but this season will go down as a missed opportunity.

Losing out 4-1 to champions Norwich City last weekend strengthened the argument that Reading are a couple of players light of a team capable of promotion.

With Omar Richards and potentially Michael Olise leaving the club in the summer, plans will have already started ahead of next season.

© Reuters

As far as Huddersfield are concerned, head coach Carlos Corberan will be delighted that survival has been guaranteed with a game to spare.

With Derby County and Rotherham United failing to win their respective fixtures last weekend, a 1-1 draw at home to Coventry City proved to be enough for the Terriers.

After an injury-hit campaign, Danny Ward finally netted his first goal of the season, and Corberan will be desperate for more of his key men to remain fit if he is given a second year in charge.

Huddersfield still have just three victories since the turn of the year, meaning that the Spaniard could definitely benefit from a last-day victory at the Madejski Stadium.

Team News

© Reuters

Paunovic may hand a first start to Reading teenager Mamadi Camara with the 17-year-old making his Championship debut as a substitute last weekend.

Fringe goalkeeper Luke Southwood could also be given an opportunity, while young midfielder Dejan Tetek should keep his place in the team.

Alfa Semedo is in contention for a starting role ahead of Olise, who may drop down to the substitutes' bench with a potential exit in mind.

Corberan is expected to make a number of alterations to his side with Ward likely to replace Yaya Sanogo in attack.

Pipa, Carel Eiting and Rarmani Edmonds-Green are also in line to be recalled to the side.

Reading possible starting lineup:

Southwood; Yiadom, Moore, Holmes, Richards; Tetek, Laurent; Semedo, Swift, Camara; Joao

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:

Schofield; Pipa, Keogh, Sarr, Toffolo; Eiting, Hogg; Koroma, O'Brien, Rowe; Ward

We say: Reading 3-1 Huddersfield Town

After a long season, some first-team regulars could be handed the weekend off by both managers. Nevertheless, we still expect Reading to make light work of their opponents, showcasing their extra firepower in the final third.