Preview: Carlisle United vs. Reading - prediction, team news, lineups

The Royals, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back after they fell to a 3-2 defeat to Shrewsbury Town last weekend.

Match preview

There will be a sense of relief around the Carlisle squad after they ended an eight-game losing run with a narrow 1-0 win in their recent away meeting with Burton Albion.

Defender Paul Huntington scored the decisive goal to guide Carlisle to their first victory since beating Port Vale on New Year's Day.

Carlisle boss Paul Simpson would have also been pleased with the fact his team managed to record their first away clean sheet of the League One season.

However, the Cumbrians have to put together a number of victories if they are to pull off a great escape and close the 13-point gap to safety.

The hosts will now turn their attention to Saturday's home outing, where they will have the chance to record consecutive victories for the first time this season.

Reading's bid to remain in the division received another setback in midweek when they were handed a two-point deduction after owner Dai Yongge failed to comply with HMRC payment obligations.

As a result, the Royals have now been deducted a total of six points this season, leaving them in 20th place and three points above the drop zone.

While off-field matters continue to hamper their progress on the pitch, Reading boss Ruben Selles is tasked with lifting his players following the points deduction and last Saturday's 3-2 loss to Shrewsbury.

Sam Smith and Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan found the net to help Reading fight back from two goals down against the Shrews, but their comeback proved to be in vain, as Tom Bloxham restored Shrewsbury's lead in first-half stoppage time with what proved to be the final goal of the game.

Despite winning just one of their last four matches, Reading may fancy their chances of claiming all three points against Carlisle after cruising to a 5-1 victory in November's reverse fixture.

Carlisle United League One form:

L

L

L

L

L

W

Reading League One form:

W

W

D

L

W

L

Team News

Carlisle are still unable to call upon the injured duo of Joshua Kayode and Georgie Kelly, but they could welcome two players back into the fold.

Simpson has confirmed that Josh Emmanuel and Ben Barclay are back in training following their respective injury issues, and the pair are in contention to return to the matchday squad for Saturday's contest.

Even if the duo are declared fit for the weekend, Simpson could be tempted to stick with the same lineup that started the midweek win over Burton.

As for the visitors, they are still expected to be without the services of Tom Holmes and Jeriel Dorsett due to injury issues.

Despite seeing his team fall to a narrow defeat last weekend, Selles may decide against making any changes to his starting lineup.

Smith will continue to lead the line for the Royals after he netted his seventh league goal of the season in the loss to Shrewsbury.

Carlisle United possible starting lineup:

Lewis; Lavelle, Huntington, Mellish; Ellis, Vela, Charters, Neal, Armer; Diamond, Armstrong

Reading possible starting lineup:

Button; Yiadom, Mbengue, Bindon, Mola; Wing, Savage; Azeez, Knibbs, Ehibhatiomhan; Smith

We say: Carlisle United 1-2 Reading

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