Fighting it out in the first round of the FA Cup, Reading and Fleetwood Town will clash at Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday.
While the Royals ended a largely successful October with a heavy defeat, their League Two counterparts have just gone four games without a win.
Match preview
© Imago
Despite missing out on a fourth straight win earlier this week, Reading occupy ninth place in the table after the first 13 matches of their League One campaign, with mid-table stability being the Berkshire club's aim.
The Royals have scored in each of their last eight matches across all competitions, and they have averaged two goals per game in the process of winning four of the last six.
However, Ruben Selles saw his side's fine run come to an end with a 4-1 loss at Stockport County on Tuesday night, having made several changes to the starting XI amid a packed fixture list.
Reading will not return to League One action until next weekend, with an EFL Trophy contest against Cheltenham Town following Saturday's FA Cup tie, so they can now enjoy some knockout football.
Having last been eliminated at the FA Cup's first round stage some 26 years ago, they will certainly want to avoid that fate against Fleetwood.
© Imago
Over the past couple of decades, Fleetwood have regularly reached at least round two, reflecting their rise up the English football pyramid - two years ago, the Lancashire side even made it through to the last 16.
They will arrive in Reading amid a dismal run of form, though, having taken just three points from their last five League Two matches to sit 15th in the table.
The Cod Army were within moments of picking up maximum points in midweek, but after goals from Ronan Coughlan and Mark Helm had helped them overturn a deficit against Salford City, they conceded a 98th-minute equaliser.
As a result, Charlie Adam's men have still won just one home game in the league; but their away form has been much better, winning three times so far and averaging two goals per game on the road.
When Fleetwood last visited Reading - almost exactly one year ago, in League One - they emerged 2-1 winners thanks to a stoppage-time strike, so they may draw on that success for inspiration on Tuesday.
Team News
© Imago
With several injuries impacting his thin squad, Ruben Selles has already spoken of resting players this weekend, offering a chance for more young prospects to shine.
Ashqar Ahmed, Ben Elliott and Charlie Savage were all name-checked by the Reading head coach, who has had no issue with fielding 16-year-old Andre Garcia at left-back.
First-choice in that position, Jeriel Dorsett, is set for another couple of weeks on the sidelines, joining star striker Sam Smith, who has found the net five times in 12 League One matches this season; Jayden Wareham should deputise for the latter.
Meanwhile, Fleetwood's attack is led by Ronan Coughlan, whose close-range tap-in against Salford was his fifth league goal of the 2024-25 campaign.
The Irish striker could again partner compatriot Ryan Graydon in the visitors' forward line, but Charlie Adam may have to make a change in defence: captain Brendan Wiredu limped off with an injury just before half time in midweek.
Reading possible starting lineup:
Boyce-Clarke; Ahmed, Mbengue, Bindon, Garcia; Elliott, Savage, Knibbs; Campbell, Wareham, Ehibhatiomhan
Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:
Harrington; Bolton, Potter, Hughes; Johnston, Mayor, Bonds, Virtue, Hunt; Coughlan, Graydon
We say: Reading 2-0 Fleetwood Town
Having scored first in five of their last six outings, Reading will expect to make a fast start against Fleetwood, who have been off-colour of late.
The hosts may be short of numbers, but there is still sufficient quality in their squad to ensure safe passage through to the next round.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
