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

The visitors sit in third position, courtesy of five wins, while the Hornets suffering just one defeat has kept them in contention.

Match preview

While Rob Edwards will undoubtedly be delighted that Watford have been able to retain the services of Ismaila Sarr and Joao Pedro, he will recognise that the club need to quickly refocus if they are to stay in the top six.

Their only success in five games was a last-gasp win over Middlesbrough, with a total of six points coming during that period.

Given that they only have three victories to their name in eight matches, Edwards and the Hornets will be more than satisfied with their current sixth spot in the table.

Nevertheless, this is a group of players which should be challenging for the automatic places and scoring more than nine goals in eight outings.

Although none of the group has netted more than twice in the Championship, as many as three players have four contributions in the final third to their name.

Reading's activity in the final third has been shared further around the squad with only Lucas Joao having netted more than once in the second tier.

However, Paul Ince will not care where the goals have come from on the back of five wins being posted from eight matches when they had been expected to feature in the relegation zone.

Reading fans know from past experiences that they should not get carried away at this stage, but there is also little reason not to be optimistic about the job that Ince continues to do at the Berkshire outfit.

While their best work has come at their home ground, Reading showed late last month that they can pull off a surprise on away territory with a win and clean sheet at Millwall.

Watford Championship form:

Watford form (all competitions):

Reading Championship form:

Team News

Edwards must decide whether to hand a debut to Keinan Davis with Joao Pedro potentially being used in a deeper role.

Yaser Asprilla could be the player to miss out, with the rest of the Watford XI possibly staying the same.

If Mamadou Loum is passed fit for Reading, the midfielder could take the place of Shane Long with Ince likely to be tempted to name a more defensive-minded side.

That would see Thomas Ince partner Joao in attack, dropping into a deeper position when the Royals do not have the ball.

Baba Rahman may get the nod at left wing-back with Junior Hoilett only featuring among the replacements.

Watford possible starting lineup:

Bachmann; Cathcart, Kabasele, Hause; Kamara, Kayembe, Choudhury, Sema; Pedro; Bayo, Davis

Reading possible starting lineup:

Lumley; Holmes, Hutchinson, McIntyre; Yiadom, Hendrick, Loum, Fornah, Rahman; Ince, Joao

We say: Watford 1-0 Reading

As much as Reading supporters are currently enjoying the season, they never know what they are going to get from the Royals. With Watford, you do, especially at home, and we are predicting a narrow victory for the Hornets.

Previews by email