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

sportsmole.co.uk, 23 February 2023, 19:00
Reading will be looking to get back to winning ways when they host struggling Blackpool at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.

The Royals were defeated at Cardiff City last time out, whereas Blackpool lost out at Ewood Park as their chances of escaping relegation diminished.

Match preview

Reading started last weekend's round of second-tier fixtures under the lights with a trip to South Wales on Friday night, and in truth Paul Ince's men were second best for the entire night.

Despite the Bluebirds' dominance, it took until the 91st minute for the hosts to score the winner, with ex-West Bromwich Albion midfielder Romaine Sawyers netting that all-important strike.

That loss in Wales meant that Reading dropped to 16th in the Championship standings over the weekend, having collected 41 points from 32 matches, a tally which leaves them with a 10-point advantage over the bottom three.

The Royals are back on home soil this weekend - a place where Andy Carroll and company are unbeaten in five matches in all competitions - and they will be looking to climb into the top half of the table with a win.

Blackpool were unable to record back-to-back wins in the Championship after they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers last Saturday, a game in which the visitors recorded zero attempts on goal.

Tyrhys Dolan has been enjoying an extended run in the Rovers side and scored past Chris Maxwell in the 31st minute, with that strike being enough to steal all the points off the Tangerines.

Mick McCarthy will have realised when taking the reins that all would not be plain sailing at Bloomfield Road, but this side are still in with a real chance of avoiding the drop.

The Seasiders are amongst the trio of clubs at the foot of the second-tier table who currently have 31 points, with 21st-placed Cardiff four points ahead of the bottom three with 13 matches to go.

Reading Championship form:

D

L

D

L

W

L

Reading form (all competitions):

L

L

D

L

W

L

Blackpool Championship form:

L

D

D

L

W

L

Team News

Reading will be without the services of Andy Yiadom on Saturday as the 31-year-old serves the final match of his two-game suspension for collecting 10 yellow cards so far this campaign.

Thomas Holmes is another defensive option who is likely to be unavailable - the 22-year-old has not featured since sustaining a calf injury earlier in the month.

Blackpool also have injuries in their backline, with centre-back Marvin Ekpiteta still out until next month due to a hamstring injury suffered in the clash with Watford in January.

Charlie Goode's short spell at Blackpool has been affected by a hamstring injury, with the Brentford loanee managing just two second-tier appearances since making the switch last month.

Reading possible starting lineup:

Lumley; Mbengue, Dann, Sarr; Hoilett, Fornah, Ndiaye, McIntyre, Guinness-Walker; Azeez, Carroll

Blackpool possible starting lineup:

Maxwell; Gabriel, Connolly, Nelson, Thompson; Patino, Dougall, Poveda, Carey, Rogers; Lavery

We say: Reading 1-1 Blackpool

Reading have been significantly better on home soil compared to on their travels this campaign and will be hoping to continue that with success over Blackpool on Saturday.

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