Reading could supplant Exeter City in the League One table when both sides face off on New Year's Day at the Madejski Stadium.
The home side have had a torrid time in the third tier after dropping down from the Championship, while the visitors' failure to score consistently means wins have been hard to come by heading into gameweek 26's encounter.
Match preview
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Reading possibly envisioned a different ride in League One after relegation from the Championship, but Ruben Selles's men have not pulled up trees in the third tier.
Only six wins have been secured from 24 games, leaving the Royals in the bottom four spots, albeit three points away from safety.
Be that as it may, there have been encouraging signs for Selles and his side in recent matches, even if they must turn ties into three points in the New Year.
Since Shrewsbury Town beat the Royals 3-2 on November 11, the 21st-placed club have fallen to one defeat — a 3-1 home loss to Barnsley in early December — having lost 11 of their opening 16 league fixtures.
Four of Reading's recent five games have ended with the spoils being shared, and the home side need to stop falling behind in games, as it leaves them playing catch-up.
Selles's side have had to fight back from a goal down to draw against Oxford United (1-1) and Lincoln City (1-1), twice trailed against Peterborough United in the 2-2 tie and roared back from 2-0 down to level against Cheltenham on December 29, pointing to the battling qualities the home support are keen to see as they finally hope to start picking up maximum points consistently.
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As for Exeter, securing four points from six has taken them outside the relegation zone, but they could easily slide back into danger if they lose on January 1.
Boxing Day brought Gary Caldwell some festive cheer after a 1-0 home success against Wycombe Wanderers ended the club's wait for a League One triumph since mid-November's 1-0 win over Cheltenham Town.
A goalless encounter with table-topping Portsmouth was another feather in the struggling side's cap, and they are keen to extend their mini-unbeaten run to three games.
It remains to be seen if this turns out well for the Grecians, whose paltry 14 goals is a joint-low in the English third tier heading into 2024.
Caldwell's side have lost six of the last seven away fixtures, failing to score in five, undoubtedly pointing to issues in the attacking third.
Team News
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Jeriel Dorsett and Paul Mukairu scored twice in two minutes to force a Reading draw at Cheltenham on December 29, and both players could start on Monday.
Previously pivotal to comebacks, Femi Azeez and Sam Smith should also feature in the attack, where Selles hopes for some magic to inspire the Royals in front of their supporters.
It remains to be seen if Sonny Cox is available for Monday's game, having been withdrawn in Exeter's goalless encounter with Portsmouth last time out.
A potential absence for the striker means Caldwell could be without Cox and Yanic Wildschut, who went off injured in the win over Wycombe on Boxing Day.
Reading possible starting lineup:
Button; Mbengue, Holmes, Abbey, Dorsett, Craig; Azeez, Wing, Knibbs, Mukairu; Smith
Exeter City possible starting lineup:
Sinisalo; Aimson, Diabate, Hartridge; Rankie, Carroll, Cole, Jules; Aitchison, Niskanen; Taylor
We say: Reading 2-0 Exeter City
Selles and his team could start 2024 positively by recording a victory over poor-travelling Exeter, whose road record leaves much to be desired.
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