Preview: Blackburn Rovers vs. Reading - prediction, team news, lineups

Blackburn Rovers play host to Reading on Saturday afternoon looking to end a run of four games without a win in the Championship.

Rovers are currently two points adrift of eighth-placed Reading, who have prevailed in four of their last six fixtures.

Match preview

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Rovers currently possess the joint-fifth best attacking record in the division, a sign that Tony Mowbray's side are getting things right in the final third.

However, Rovers are making a habit of losing by one-goal margins, while Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers came as a result of a late strike from the home side.

Remaining just four points adrift of fifth position, Mowbray will not be too concerned that his team have dropped into the bottom half of the standings.

Nevertheless, they lack a killer instinct at both ends of the pitch, particularly in defence with their only clean sheets coming against goal-shy Barnsley and Hull City.

Another concerning statistic is no goals being scored from open play in the final quarter of a game since August 18, a record which has subsequently undone their previous good work.

Reading have been superb since the middle of September, a consequence of Veljko Paunovic adding some much-needed experience to his squad.

However, despite a return of five wins from seven games, their record should have been even better having held a two-goal advantage against Blackpool on Wednesday night.

The Royals conceded three times in the final quarter to suffering a quite stunning defeat in front of their own supporters, leaving Paunovic with a job on his hands to raise the spirits in his squad.

While a quick turnaround should theoretically work in their favour, Reading can ill-afford a second defeat in quick succession ahead of hosting unbeaten leaders Bournemouth.

Team News

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Lewis Travis and Harry Pickering are both expected to miss out for Blackburn after sustaining injuries against QPR.

Bradley Johnson and Joe Rothwell are in line to take their places, with Tayo Edun moving out to left wing-back.

However, there is scope for Sam Gallagher and Tyrhys Dolan to return in attack, a move which would likely lead to Johnson remaining among the replacements.

Despite a lack of alternatives, Paunovic may insist on making at least one change to his Reading XI given the quick turnaround.

Femi Azeez is an option on the right flank, a move which would likely see Tom Dele-Bashiru drop to the substitutes' bench or Danny Drinkwater handed a rest after five successive starts.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Kaminski; Van Hecke, Ayala, Lenihan; Nyambe, Clarkson, Johnson, Rothwell, Edun; Brereton, Gallagher

Reading possible starting lineup:
Southwood; Yiadom, Moore, Dann, Rahman; Drinkwater, Laurent; Azeez, Swift, Ejaria; Puscas

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Reading

Each team's inconsistency should result in an entertaining fixture at Ewood Park. We expect a winning goal in the closing stages, most likely from Rovers who are more in need of maximum points.