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

At a time when Rovers occupy fifth position in the standings, Reading are down in 16th spot on the back of three successive defeats.

Match preview

On the back of five successive wins in all competitions, Blackburn travelled to the bet365 Stadium to play Stoke City on Friday fully expecting to extend that run.

However, such is the nature of this division that they succumbed to a 3-2 scoreline to the Potters, conceding more times in 90 minutes than they had in five fixtures.

Only a late rally put some respectability on the scoreline, and Jon Dahl Tomasson had every reason to be disappointed with the manner of their defeat to a team who have little to play for.

That can be taken to be a lesson learned ahead of another match which fits the same criteria, although Blackburn will have confidence in their home form that the setback last week was only a blip.

Blackburn have collected 13 points from their most recent five outings at Ewood Park, the kind of return which may discourage Reading before they have made the trip to the North-West.

Only Huddersfield Town possess a worse away record than Reading this season, the Royals accumulating just 11 points from 18 games on their travels.

As many as five consecutive defeats have been posted, the latest match on unfamiliar territory ending in a 5-0 victory to Middlesbrough, and Reading's last win on the road came at Hull City before the World Cup.

Although Reading remain 12 points clear of the relegation zone, they have posted three defeats in a row, the last two being at home to Sheffield United and Millwall by 1-0 scorelines.

While there will be some understanding that Reading are facing a promotion contender for the fourth match in succession, Paul Ince knows that he needs to end the current losing streak, aware that the club face a potential points penalty in the future.

Blackburn Rovers Championship form:

D

W

W

W

W

L

Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):

W

W

W

W

W

L

Reading Championship form:

W

L

W

L

L

L

Team News

Tomasson could decide that now is the right time to recall Ben Brereton Diaz to his Blackburn XI after a spell on the sidelines and substitutes' bench.

Callum Brittain could also return at right-back, as could Tyler Morton in midfield, with Joe Rankin-Costello, John Buckley and Tyrhys Dolan at risk of missing out.

The remainder of the side could stay the same, particularly in the middle of the backline with Daniel Ayala out in the long term.

Ince will consider making alterations to his Reading side with Liam Moore and Amadou Salif Mbengue both in line to start in defence and at wing-back.

Chelsea loanee Cesare Casadei may also come back into the team, although Ince could show preference to his central-midfield setup from the weekend.

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pears; Brittain, Carter, Hyam, Pickering; Travis, Morton; Thomas, Szmodics, Brereton Diaz; Gallagher

Reading possible starting lineup:

Lumley; Holmes, Moore, Sarr; Yiadom, Ince, Hendrick, McIntyre, Guinness-Walker; Carroll, Long

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Reading

While anything can happen in the Championship, this feels like one of those games which could be a foregone conclusion. The teams are at the opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to their respective home and away records, leading us to back a comfortable win for Rovers.

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