After a comfortable home victory on Saturday, Reading host Norwich City in a top-of-the-table clash at Select Car Leasing Stadium on Tuesday night.
Their opponents are on an eight-match unbeaten run and recorded an away victory in their previous fixture against Blackpool.
Match preview
© Reuters
After a disappointing 21st-placed finish last season, Paul Ince's side have made a remarkable start to this season and are currently sitting 3rd in the Championship table, just three points behind top spot.
Boasting the best home record in the Championship is the key to their league position, as they have won five of their six matches so far, with their only defeat coming against Sunderland.
They have only conceded six goals in those six games - three of them coming in that defeat to Sunderland - so defensive solidity has been the foundation for that success in front of their own fans.
Four clean sheets have been kept by Reading in their opening 11 games, with the three-at-the-back formation they have been using throughout the season so far seemingly paying off, with both Tom Holmes and Tom McIntyre starting every minute of every game to give stability to the backline.
The new-look midfield this season of Jeff Hendrick, Sam Hutchinson and Tom Ince have given this Reading side a solid foundation to build upon, and even with goals not being so easy to come by, the team does seem well equipped to be able to get results and fight for the automatic promotion places this season.
After another campaign in the Premier League, which left a lot to be desired, Norwich have hit the ground running in the Championship again, currently sitting second in the table.
American forward Josh Sargent also seems much more at home in the Championship, scoring six goals in nine starts so far this season, as he looks to contribute to the promotion push but also to make sure he is ready for the World Cup as he heads there later in the year with the USA.
Dean Smith's side have a good defensive record away from home, only conceding four goals in five games, with youngsters Rolando Aarons and Andrew Omobamidele being two key players in the defence, both starting every game so far this season.
However, Norwich have lost twice away from home in this campaign, in their opening two away games of the season against Cardiff City and Hull City, but are now three away games unbeaten so will provide a good test to the home strength of Reading.
After finding the net in their previous fixture, the reliable Teemu Pukki will be hoping that goal has kickstarted his Championship campaign and he can find the form which led to him scoring over 20 goals in his two previous seasons in the second tier.
Team News
© Reuters
Reading will most likely need to make a change to their defence as captain Andy Yiadom left the pitch injured in their last fixture against Huddersfield Town and is unlikely to be fit.
This may also force a change in formation to a back four, as midfielder Tyrese Fornah came on to replace Yiadom in the previous game, or Hutchinson could drop into the three-at-the-back, in a change that may unsettle what has been a solid defence so far this season.
For Norwich, Todd Cantwell missed the fixture with Blackpool with a minor knock, so could be back to face off against Reading but would most likely start from the bench.
Pukki, after scoring against Blackpool, will be expected to lead the line in a 4-2-3-1 again, with offensive support coming from Sargent from the right side of the attack.
Reading possible starting lineup:
Lumley; McIntyre, Holmes, Hutchinson; Guinness-Walker, Fornah, Hendrick, Ince, Hoilett; Joao, Meite
Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Krul; Byram, Hanley, Omobamidele, Aarons; McLean, Nunez, Hernandez, Ramsey, Sargent; Pukki
We say: Reading 1-2 Norwich City
With Reading missing captain Yiadom and facing a difficult opponent in Norwich, this fixture may be a struggle for them, especially if Pukki and Sargent are on form. Norwich may just sneak a victory here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
