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

The Royals lost out to Sunderland on the road on the weekend, whereas Rotherham drew a third-straight game after a stalemate with Blackpool.

Match preview

Paul Ince's Reading are tumbling down the Championship table after a poor run of form to start 2023, with the Royals yet to pick up a victory in the new calendar year in the second tier.

The Stadium of Light saw an 84th-minute strike from Patrick Roberts give the Black Cats maximum points on Saturday afternoon, with Reading once again being unable to pick up points on their travels.

Ince's men now sit 18th in the second-tier standings having collected 38 points from 30 games - a record that does not put them in any immediate danger, but nevertheless their worrying form needs to be addressed in the coming weeks.

Injuries have not helped the Royals' chances of success over the past month, with the squad being stretched especially in central areas - so much so that centre-back Tom McIntyre was part of a midfield three last time out.

Rotherham are now unbeaten in four matches in the Championship after a third-straight draw on Saturday, with Bloomfield Road witnessing a 0-0 scoreline between the Seasiders and the Millers.

Keeping back-to-back clean sheets for only the third time this season will please manager Matthew Taylor, however it will be victories that ultimately keep Rotherham in the division if attained between now and May.

The Millers currently lie in 20th position in the Championship, possessing a comforting four-point buffer over Wigan Athletic who occupy the highest of the relegation places - although that gap appears to be threatened by the form of Shaun Maloney's revitalised Latics.

Taylor's side have struggled to pose an attacking threat on the road so far this season, netting just nine times in 16 outings, fewer goals than any other side in the Championship on their travels.

Reading Championship form:

D

L

D

L

D

L

Reading form (all competitions):

W

D

L

L

D

L

Rotherham United Championship form:

L

L

W

D

D

D

Rotherham United form (all competitions):

L

L

W

D

D

D

Team News

Reading will remain without midfielder Mamadou Loum as the 26-year-old serves the final match of his two-game suspension, which means it could be a makeshift midfield for Ince once more.

The experience of Sam Hutchinson is being missed in the middle of the park for the Royals, with the veteran expected back in late March after suffering an Achilles tendon injury during the 2-2 with Queens Park Rangers last month.

Rotherham's January signing Sean Morrison has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign due to a thigh injury - the centre-back only managed two appearances for the Royals after making the switch from Cardiff City.

Ben Wiles has not featured for the Millers since Boxing Day and his absence in the midfield has been felt significantly, although the 23-year-old is hopeful of being available for selection at the end of this month.

Reading possible starting lineup:

Lumley; Yiadom, Sarr, Mbengue; Hoilett, Ince, McIntyre, Hendrick, Baba; Long, Carroll

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:

Johansson; Peltier, Hall, Humphreys, Bramall; Odoffin, Coventry, Rathbone; Ogbene, Hugill, Fosu

We say: Reading 1-1 Rotherham United

Reading are beginning to look over their shoulder after a poor run of results, however a home tie with Rotherham is a decent opportunity to get back to winning ways.

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