Preview: Reading vs. Coventry City - prediction, team news, lineups

Reading and Coventry City are both struggling for form ahead of their meeting at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Royals are currently 21st in the Championship table and just two points clear of safety, while the Sky Blues are 13th and five points behind the playoffs.

Match preview

© Reuters

Reading fell to a seventh straight defeat in all competitions on Wednesday night as they lost 2-1 away at Bristol City.

Veljko Paunovic's sorry side are stuck in a rut that is looking increasingly difficult to get out of – they have won just two of their last 18 matches.

The Royals have failed to win any of last nine games at the Select Car Leasing Stadium since mid-October and have conceded 31 goals at home this season – 10 more than any other side in the Championship.

With a huge relegation six-pointer against Peterborough United to come next Wednesday, Paunovic will be desperate for his side to gain some confidence on Saturday.

Reading have lost just two of their previous 13 games against Coventry and were last beaten by the Sky Blues on home turf in February 2005.

© Reuters

Coventry did win this season's reverse fixture though, with substitute Matt Godden scoring a 98th-minute winner as Mark Robins's side came from behind to win 2-1 at the CBS Arena.

That was one of the Sky Blues' five wins in the opening seven games of the campaign, but they have now picked up just two victories in their last 11 league matches. The Midlands outfit have also won just three times away from home this season.

Viktor Gyokeres cancelled out Gary Madine's opener in the team's 1-1 draw against Blackpool on Tuesday evening.

This is the first of three successive fixtures for Coventry against teams currently in the bottom five – with games against Cardiff City and Barnsley to come over the next week – so Robins will be hoping to see his side move back into playoff contention.

Team News

© Reuters

Reading midfielder Ovie Ejaria appeared to be on the comeback trail following a groin problem and coronavirus issues, but Paunovic has revealed that the former Liverpool man has now picked up another injury.

There is hope that Yakou Meite could feature for the first time this season after suffering an ACL injury last summer.

Luke Southwood and John Swift are both in contention to return to the starting lineup after being benched at Bristol City in midweek.

Robins has revealed that Coventry pair Liam Kelly and Josh Eccles are set for lengthy spells on the sidelines are suffering hamstring and calf injuries respectively.

There is better news regarding Fankaty Dabo who is back in training following a pelvic issue, Matt Godden could be back involved next week after having his appendix removed.

Gustavo Hamer's yellow card against Blackpool in midweek means that he is one booking away from incurring a two-match ban.

Reading possible starting lineup:
Southwood; Yiadom, Morrison, Holmes, Rahman; Laurent, Rinomhota; Ince, Swift, Hoilett; Joao

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Moore; Hyam, Clarke-Salter, Rose; Kane, Sheaf, Hamer, Maatsen; O'Hare, Allen; Gyokeres

We say: Reading 1-1 Coventry City

Reading's form appears unsalvageable at this stage but they face a Coventry side also low on confidence, which should make for an interesting and perhaps nervy game. We think that it will end level, a result that will not really suit either team.

Previews by email