Readingvs.West HamWest Ham United

Paul Ince's side ran out 4-0 winners over Maidenhead United last time out, while two different Hammers sides beat Ipswich Town and drew with Boreham Wood.

Match preview

Attempting to get the better of Benfica was a step too far for Reading last week, but Paul Ince has witnessed his side claim two convincing wins over Colchester United and Maidenhead either side of the 2-0 loss to Benfica, scoring six goals and conceding none in the process.

Jeff Hendrick, Tom Ince, Lucas Joao and Connor Wickham were all on target for the Royals in the 4-0 crushing of Maidenhead on Tuesday, and the club have since welcomed a former teenage protege back to the club for a second spell.

Following his departure from Southampton, 35-year-old Shane Long has returned to Berkshire for another stint in blue and white as Ince's side build up to their Championship opener against Blackpool on July 30.

Wimbledon, Brighton & Hove Albion and Bracknell Town will all face off against Reading before the new domestic campaign commences, but West Ham will not be in any sort of charitable mood on Saturday.

Senior and youth players were in abundance in both of West Ham's squads for their friendlies with Ipswich and Boreham Wood on Tuesday, but only one of Moyes's teams emerged triumphant, as the Tractor Boys fell to a 2-1 loss.

Kurt Zouma and Daniel Chesters were on target against Ipswich, who grabbed a consolation through Kane Vincent-Young 15 minutes from time, while Said Benrahma netted against Boreham Wood before the National League side levelled through Will Evans in a 1-1 draw.

Nevertheless, the Hammers remain unbeaten in pre-season so far after also getting the better of Swiss outfit Servette 2-0 earlier this month, but Moyes's side must still take on Lens, Luton Town and Rangers before the end of July.

A stint in the Europa Conference League awaits West Ham following their unsuccessful attempts to go all the way in the Europa League last season, and until then, all eyes will be on the transfer market as Moyes continues his search for a new centre-forward.

West Ham and Reading have not locked horns competitively since the Hammers ran out 4-2 winners in the 2012-13 Premier League season, which ended a run of three consecutive victories for the Royals since 2011.

Reading Club Friendlies 1 form:

West Ham United Club Friendlies 1 form:

Team News

Reading did not see any players leave the field injured in the recent win over Maidenhead, and Long should be considered for his second unofficial debut for the club against West Ham.

Long's compatriot Hendrick can also expect another start in the middle of the park, as Ince keeps faith with the majority of the side who dispatched Maidenhead comfortably in midweek.

Despite bringing in two new goalkeepers in Joe Lumley and Dean Bouzanis already this summer, Luke Southwood could be handed the gloves from the off this weekend.

As for West Ham, centre-back Angelo Ogbonna made his long-awaited comeback from a knee injury against Boreham Wood and completed 23 minutes of the encounter with the fifth-tier side.

Declan Rice, Tomas Soucek, Jarrod Bowen, Nayef Aguerd and Alphonse Areola were all absent from Tuesday's friendlies, but the international stars are being put through their paces in training and should compete for minutes here.

Ogbonna may be fit enough to play the first 45 minutes against Reading as he builds up his match fitness, while new signing Flynn Downes completed the full 90 on his debut against Ipswich.

Reading possible starting lineup:

Southwood; Yiadom, McIntyre, Holmes, Ejaria; Ince, Hendrick, Fornah, Hoilett; Long, Joao

West Ham United possible starting lineup:

Fabianski; Coufal, Ogbonna, Zouma, Cresswell; Rice, Downes; Bowen, Fornals, Benrahma; Antonio

We say: Reading 0-2 West Ham United

While Reading ought to be galvanised by the return of Long, there is only so much the veteran striker can do against a West Ham side who have all of their big-hitters back on the training pitches.

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