Preview: Reading vs. Coventry City - prediction, team news, lineups

The Sky Blues have picked up 12 points from their last four matches to move into 12th position in the table, while Reading currently sit 13th, level on points with their opponents in this game.

Match preview

Reading's last season as a Premier League club came in 2012-13, and they have been in the Championship ever since, with their highest position in the second tier over the last nine seasons proving to be third in 2016-17.

The Royals were seventh in 2020-21 but finished 21st last term, just four points above the relegation zone, so the supporters would certainly have been demanding a huge improvement in the current campaign.

A total of 29 points from 21 matches has left the team in 13th position in the table, six points clear of the relegation zone and actually only two points off the playoffs, which is an indication of how quickly things can change in the Championship this season.

Paul Ince's side recorded a 2-1 victory over Hull in their last match before the season was halted for the World Cup, which proved to be their first win since October 22.

Reading lost both matches against Coventry in the Championship last term, including a 3-2 defeat in the corresponding clash, while they have only beaten their opponents this weekend on two occasions since April 2010.

Coventry, meanwhile, were in excellent form before the campaign was halted, recording four straight wins over Blackburn Rovers, Watford, Wigan Athletic and Queens Park Rangers, keeping four clean sheets in the process.

The Sky Blues currently sit 12th in the table, level on points with Reading, so they are also just two points off the playoff positions heading into the next set of fixtures.

Coventry also have two games in hand on the majority of the sides in the Championship, having only played 19 times this term, so their position in the table is even more impressive.

Mark Robins's side have won three, drawn four and lost three of their 10 away matches in the league this season, and they will be facing a Reading side with the fifth-best home record in 2022-23.

Coventry have finished 16th and 12th in their last two Championship campaigns, having been promoted from League One in 2019-20, while they have been absent from the Premier League since 2000-21.

Reading Championship form:

W

L

D

L

L

W

Coventry City Championship form:

D

L

W

W

W

W

Team News

Reading will be missing Tom McIntyre, Naby Sarr and Scott Dann through injury on Saturday afternoon.

Mamadou Loum, Baba Rahman, Junior Hoilett have been away at the World Cup, meanwhile, so all three are doubts for this match, with Ince likely to make a late call on their involvement.

Should Hoilett miss out on a spot in the XI, then Shane Long could move into a wide area, with Lucas Joao potentially coming in to lead the line, although Andy Carroll is another option for the Royals.

As for Coventry, Fankaty Dabo, Martyn Waghorn and Matt Godden remain on the sidelines through injury.

The Sky Blues have not had any players away at the World Cup, though, so Robins has been able to work with the first-team squad during the winter break.

The same XI that took to the field for the clash with QPR last time out could again take to the field here, with Viktor Gyokeres, who has nine Championship goals this season, leading the line.

Reading possible starting lineup:

Bouzanis; Yiadom, Holmes, Mbengue, Abbey; Fornah, Hendrick; Long, Ince, Meite; Joao

Coventry City possible starting lineup:

Wilson; Doyle, McFadzean, Panzo; Eccles, Hamer, Sheaf, Bidwell; O'Hare, Gyokeres, Allen

We say: Reading 1-2 Coventry City

Coventry's recent form has been excellent, and it is probably fair to say that the break came at the wrong time for the Sky Blues. Reading were impressive last time out but could potentially be missing some key players this weekend, and we have a feeling that Coventry will shade this contest.

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