Preview: Fleetwood Town vs. Reading - prediction, team news, lineups

The Royals, meanwhile, will be hoping to continue their impressive run of form, having avoided defeat in each of their last five league games.

Match preview

Fleetwood went into the weekend with the aim of clinching a third consecutive victory after recording back-to-back wins over Port Vale and Bristol Rovers.

Promise Omochere opened the scoring in Saturday's away meeting with Lincoln, before Bosun Lawal was given his marching orders in first-half stoppage time.

Lincoln ultimately made full use of the numerical advantage to score two goals in the second period and condemn Fleetwood to their eighth away defeat of the League One season.

Having picked up 25 points from 31 matches, the Cod Army are currently languishing in 23rd position with six points separating them from safety.

While they have shown signs of improvement under Charlie Adam, Fleetwood still need to tighten up at the back if they are to escape the drop zone, having conceded 52 goals to leave them with the worst defensive record in the division.

Despite having to contend with a four-point deduction, Reading have managed to put three points between themselves and the drop zone thanks to a fine run of form.

Ruben Selles had made his side a tough team to beat in recent times, having seen his team lose just one of their last 12 league matches (W5, D6).

Reading extended their unbeaten run to five league matches with a home victory over relegation rivals Charlton Athletic at the weekend.

Femi Azeez's second-half brace proved enough to lead the Royals to a 2-0 win, representing their fourth victory in the last five home matches.

The Royals will now head on their travels for their next fixture, where they will have the chance to claim consecutive away league wins for the first time this season.

Fleetwood Town League One form:

L

L

D

W

W

L

Reading League One form:

L

W

D

D

W

W

Team News

Fleetwood are expected to be without the services of Harry Boyes, who has missed the last three matches through injury.

Lawal will serve a one-match suspension after being sent off for two bookable offences in Saturday's away clash with Lincoln.

Having scored in three of Fleetwood's last four games, Jayden Stockley will be looking to continue his fine form when he leads the line against Reading.

As for the visitors, Selles has revealed that defender Tom Holmes is unlikely to return to fitness before the end of the month.

Jeriell Dorsett is in contention to start after coming off the bench to play the final half-hour of Saturday's win over Charlton.

Selles will continue to keep faith with forward Sam Smith, who will be looking to score his first goal of the calendar year.

Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:

Lynch; Holgate, Heneghan, Campbell; Broom, Wiredu, Kilkenny, Johnston; Omochere, Coughlan, Stockley

Reading possible starting lineup:

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

We say: Fleetwood Town 1-1 Reading

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