Pushing for a playoff spot in League One, Reading will face off against in-form Peterborough United at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday.
The Royals are unbeaten since January as they search for promotion to the Championship, while the Posh have also avoided defeat for over a month ahead of this weekend’s clash.
Match preview
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Though Noel Hunt‘s Reading will be hoping to extend their undefeated streak to 11 matches on Saturday, the boss will be ruing the fact that his team have only won four of their last 10 games.
Most recently, the Royals drew 1-1 with Stevenage on March 15, and it would be fair to say that their attack put on a disappointing display, relying on an own goal from Carl Piergianni to open the scoring and creating little else of note.
That draw left Hunt’s side ninth in the table, where they are level on 59 points with Leyton Orient, but are more importantly just two points behind Huddersfield Town in the playoff spots despite having dropped 12 points in their last 10 games.
Playing at home this weekend, the hosts will draw confidence from the fact that they have earned four clean sheets from their seven matches at the Select Car Leasing Stadium since the start of February, though they will be desperate to take maximum points rather than playing out another draw.
Should Reading earn what could be a crucial victory, they may find themselves climbing into the playoff spots by the end of the matchday should results elsewhere prove favourable.
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Meanwhile, Darren Ferguson‘s Peterborough have found some stability in League One after winning five and drawing three of their games during their ongoing eight-match unbeaten run.
Last time out, the Posh impressively beat promotion-chasing Charlton Athletic 3-0 thanks to goals from Sam Hughes, Abraham Odoh and Malik Mothersille.
Taking three points on March 22 has lifted Ferguson’s team to 15th in the third tier, and has put a nine-point cushion between themselves and Burton Albion in the relegation zone.
In such strong form, the visitors will also feel capable of adding to their security in the division this weekend, especially considering that they have won three and drawn two of their five most recent away games across all competitions.
Peterborough could go up to 14th if they can win for a third consecutive time on Saturday, and they will be motivated by the chance to take a huge step towards safety by going 12 points clear of the drop with only eight games remaining.
Team News
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Reading will welcome back centre-half Michael Stickland after he served a suspension last time out, so expect him to start alongside Tyler Bindon at the heart of defence.
On the other hand, right-sided defender Amadou Salif Mbengue will be absent after not featuring in any of the Royals’ matchday squads since March 4.
As for Peterborough, left-back Adetayo Edun will be back in contention after missing the clash with Charlton following his dismissal against Cambridge United.
The left-back should be selected to start on Saturday as part of a back four next to Sam Hughes, Oscar Wallin and James Dornelly.
Reading possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Abrefa, Stickland, Bindon, Garcia; Knibbs, Wing, Savage; Campbell, Wareham, Ehibhatiomhan
Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Steer; Dornelly, Wallin, Hughes, Edun; Susoho, Collins; Poku, Mothersille, Odoh; Jones
We say: Reading 1-2 Peterborough United
With both sides looking to maintain lengthy unbeaten runs this weekend, expect a low-scoring game.
However, Peterborough have been stronger in recent weeks and have recorded impressive victories over the likes of Charlton despite the disparity in league position, and their superior offensive output could earn them a third win on the bounce on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
