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

The visitors, on the other hand, are still waiting for their first win of the season after drawing three of their opening four league games.

Match preview

Although Reading have experienced a mixed start to the season, they currently sit in eighth place with six points to their name.

They have won two of their five competitive games this term, but they have lost to Blackpool and Rotherham United in the Championship and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Stevenage in the first round of the EFL Cup.

Although their start to the season has been inconsistent, the Royals will enter Saturday's contest in confident mood after thrashing a Blackburn Rovers side that had won all four of their competitive matches before the midweek meeting with Reading.

However, goals from Tom McIntyre, Junior Hoilett and Lucas Joao helped Reading claim a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Rovers.

Having won both of their home league games this term, Paul Ince's side will now attempt to claim a third consecutive home victory on Saturday.

While Reading have enjoyed a promising start to the season, Middlesbrough are still searching for their first win of the campaign.

An opening-day draw against West Bromwich Albion was followed by a 3-2 Championship defeat to Queens Park Rangers and EFL Cup first-round exit.

Chris Wilder managed to take a point off his former club Sheffield United last weekend courtesy of a 2-2 draw and that scoreline was replicated in midweek against Stoke City.

After falling behind in the 19th minute, a Duncan Watmore effort and a Phil Jagielka own goal helped Boro take a 2-1 lead, but they were denied their first win of the season after D'Margio Wright-Phillips snatched an equaliser in stoppage time.

Although they have struggled defensively in their opening four league matches, Middlesbrough will look to continue their fine goalscoring form this weekend, having found the net on two occasions in their last three Championship games.

Reading Championship form:

Reading form (all competitions):

Middlesbrough Championship form:

Middlesbrough form (all competitions):

Team News

Reading are without a number of players for Saturday's contest, including Liam Moore, Yakou Meite and Sam Hutchinson.

Ovie Ejaria and Femi Azeez will also miss out due to hamstring and calf injuries respectively, while Scott Dann is sidelined with a calf problem.

Joao came off the bench to score the third goal in Reading's 3-0 win over Blackburn, but the forward may have to settle for a place among the substitutes with Ince set to name an unchanged side.

As for Middlesbrough, Dael Fry may have to settle for a place on the bench after dropping out of the side for the midweek contest with Stoke.

Alex Mowatt was given his first start for the club on Wednesday, and the West Brom loanne is expected to retain his place for the trip to Berkshire.

Wilder could make a change to the forward line for the weekend contest, with Marcus Forss in contention for a starting spot.

Reading possible starting lineup:

Lumley; Yiadom, McIntyre, Holmes; Hoilett, Fornah, Loum, Hendrick, Guinness-Walker; Ince, Long

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:

Steffen; Dijksteel, Lenihan, Bola; Jones, McGree, Howson, Mowatt, Giles; Forss, Hoppe

We say: Reading 2-2 Middlesbrough

Although Middlesbrough are winless this season, they have only lost one of their four league games, but we think that their wait for a win will continue past the weekend.

We believe that a Reading side that have won both home league games this season may fall short in their quest for victory, however, we expect the Royals to still take a point from Saturday's encounter.

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