Preview: Portsmouth vs. Reading - prediction, team news, lineups

Meanwhile, the visitors will be looking to continue their fine run of form after avoiding defeat in their last six matches.

Match preview

Promotion-chasing Portsmouth will carry significant momentum into the weekend after winning five of their last six matches, including Tuesday's home meeting with Cambridge United.

John Mousinho's side came from behind to beat the U's 3-1 thanks to goals from Kusini Yengi, Myles Peart-Harris and Abu Kamara.

Having won each of their last three matches, Pompey are currently sitting top of the League One table, with a six-point cushion over second-placed Derby County and a seven-point advantage over Bolton Wanderers in third position.

Although they enjoy a healthy lead at the League One summit, Mousinho will be challenging his side to continue their fine form in their first home meeting with Reading since August 2015.

The hosts have the chance to complete a league double after they fought back from two goals down to record a 3-2 victory in October's reverse fixture.

Despite having contend with off-field issues, Reading have put together a six-game unbeaten run to move four points clear of the bottom four.

However, they would have been disappointed to miss out on a third consecutive victory in Tuesday's away meeting with Fleetwood Town.

Lewis Wing looked to have secured all three points when he broke the deadlock in the 74th minute, but he was ultimately denied the honour of scoring the winning goal by Brendan Wiredu's stoppage-time equaliser.

As a result of the midweek draw, Ruben Selles's side have now seen five of their last seven away league games finish all square.

Although they will be hoping to claim their third away league win of the season on Saturday, the Royals would likely be content with a point against a Portsmouth side that has lost just four times in 33 matches in the third tier.

Portsmouth League One form:

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Reading League One form:

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Team News

Portsmouth's lengthy injury list includes Zach Swanson, Regan Poole, Joe Morrell, Terry Devlin, Ben Stevenson, Tino Anjorin and Alex Robertson.

Tom McIntyre, who completed a move from Reading in the winter window, is unable to face his former club after sustaining an ankle injury on his Pompey debut earlier this month.

The league leaders are also expected to be without the services of Tom Lowery, who was forced off with a hamstring injury in the midweek win over Cambridge.

As for the visitors, Luton Town loanee Tom Holmes will be unavailable for a fifth consecutive game due to an injury issue.

Left-back Jeriell Dorsett is also a doubt after he was withdrawn in the opening 10 minutes against Fleetwood with an ankle problem.

Defender Andy Yiadom and forward Sam Smith missed the midweek draw due to fatigue, but the pair are expected to return to the side for Saturday's trip to Fratton Park.

Portsmouth possible starting lineup:

Norris; Rafferty, Raggett, Shaughnessy, Ogilvie; Pack, Moxon; Kamara, Lang, Peart-Harris; Yengi

Reading possible starting lineup:

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

We say: Portsmouth 2-1 Reading

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