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

Reading were narrowly beaten by Derby County in midweek, while Cambridge were thrashed by Lincoln City.

Match preview

Despite losing three of their last four matches, Reading remain in firm control of their own destiny as far as surviving relegation is concerned. The Royals were deducted six points for financial irregularities before the season began, and endured a difficult run of form earlier in the campaign.

However, four wins from their last nine matches have helped Ruben Selles's side move five points clear of the relegation zone, although they have played two matches more than 21st-placed Cheltenham Town.

Reading were on course to retrieve a surprising point at Pride Park on Tuesday evening when Sam Smith levelled the proceedings before the hour mark, but Andy Yiadom's dismissal for a second bookable offence three minutes later left them a mountain to climb. Conor Hourihane duly dispatched a penalty to maintain the Rams' promotion charge.

After suffering relegation from the Championship last season, Reading will be desperate to get back on track at the Madejski Stadium after losing their last two games at home. They will feel they have an excellent chance of doing so against a team level on points with them in the table.

Indeed, Cambridge's current trajectory is taking them towards the relegation zone, with the U's enduring a hapless 6-0 defeat at the hands of Lincoln on Tuesday.

Former Swansea City manager Garry Monk ended a run of four consecutive defeats when guiding his side to a 1-1 draw against Northampton Town in his first game in charge last weekend, but he will have serious concerns given the nature of their defeat at Sincil Park in midweek.

Braces from Jack Moylan and Joe Taylor emphatically defeated Cambridge, with late goals from substitutes Timothy Eyoma and Dylan Dffy sealing the rout for the hosts. Cambridge have lost four of their last five games on the road, with the only exception being their 4-0 victory at rock-bottom Carlisle United.

Having narrowly survived relegation by a solitary point on the final day of last season, Monk and his players will be desperate to avoid that scenario once again, but their standards must improve sooner rather than later if that is to prove to be the case.

Reading League One form:

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W

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W

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L

Cambridge United League One form:

L

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D

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Team News

Reading will have to replace Yiadom at right-back after their club captain was sent off last time out, with Kelvin Abrefa likely to receive the nod in that position after being used from the bench at Pride Park.

Sam Hutchinson and Dominic Ballard remain sidelined by serious knee injuries, with Selles unlikely to make any other selection changes having seen his side put in a solid performance against one of the best teams in League One.

Monk, on the other hand, may be tempted to ring the changes after their humiliating defeat against Lincoln. Sullay Kaikai, Adam May and Macauley Bonne all came off the bench during that defeat, and they may receive the nod from the outset on Saturday.

However, there are a lack of credible defensive options for Monk to turn to, meaning the experienced pair of Michael Morrison and Ryan Bennett are likely to be given a chance to redeem themselves in Berkshire.

Reading possible starting lineup:

Pereira; Abrefa, Mbengue, Bindon, Mola; Wing, Savage; Azeez, Knibbs, Elliott; Smith

Cambridge United possible starting lineup:

Stevens; L Bennett, R Bennett, Morrison, Andrew; Kaikai, May, Digby, Brophy; Taylor, Kachunga

We say: Reading 2-1 Cambridge United

This should be a fiercely contested affair given that both sides are level on points just above the relegation zone, but Reading boast slightly better form than their opponents.

Cambridge will almost certainly perform much better than when they were beaten by six goals against in-form Lincoln in midweek, but we are backing the hosts to gain a crucial victory by a narrow margin.

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