Watford will be looking to take advantage of Reading's poor form when they host the Royals at Vicarage Road in the Championship on Saturday.

The Hornets could move into the top half of the table with a win, but they have only emerged victorious in one of their last 13 games in all competitions.

Things have improved slightly since the arrival of new manager Giuseppe Sannino, with Watford unbeaten in their last four games, but three of those have resulted in draws.

They will need to return to winning ways soon if they still harbour genuine hopes of reaching the playoffs again as the gap between them and the top six has now extended to six points.

Sannino has a fully fit squad to choose from as he looks to improve his side's poor home record that has seen them lose five of their last seven matches at Vicarage Road, failing to score in five of their last six.

Reading suffered a torrid festive period, losing four and drawing one of their last five matches to slip to ninth in the Championship table.

They remain just one point off the top six, however, and could finish the weekend in a playoff spot with a win, should other results go their way too.

The Royals have lost their last three matches on their travels, failing to score in each of them, including a 1-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup third round in their last outing.

The visitors will be without Jem Karacan and Wayne Bridge for the match, while Mikele Leigertwood, Jason Roberts and Sean Morrison are all doubts.

There is good news for Nigel Adkins's side too, however, as they welcome Hal Robson-Kanu back to fitness.

Recent form

Watford: DLDWDD

Reading: WLLLDL

Possible starting lineups

Watford: Almunia; Doyley, Ekstrand, Angella; Cassetti, Murray, McGugan, Thorne, Bellerin; Deeney, Forestieri

Reading: McCarthy; Gunter, Pearce, Gorkss, Cummings; Robson-Kanu, Guthrie, Williams, Drenthe; Pogrebnyak, Sharp

Sports Mole says: 1-0

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