Preview: Reading vs. Bristol Rovers – prediction, team news, lineups

Reading will try to claim a third consecutive victory when they welcome Bristol Rovers to the Select Car Stadium for Saturday’s League One contest.

The visitors will be looking to secure a second straight win after getting the better of Shrewsbury Town in midweek.

Match preview

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Reading are sitting outside the League One playoffs on goal difference after winning four of their last five matches.

The Royals claimed back-to-back home wins over Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion, before they fell to a narrow away defeat against Rotherham United.

After getting back on track with a 4-1 home win against Crawley Town, Reading went on to claim a narrow 2-1 win in Tuesday’s away clash with Exeter City thanks to goals from Jayden Wareham and Michael Craig.

Reading boss Ruben Selles would have been particularly pleased with the midweek victory because it represented his side’s first away league win since beating Bristol Rovers in April.

The Royals will now return to the Select Car Leasing Stadium where they have won five of their six home league matches to give them the third-best home record in the division.

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Bristol Rovers are sitting three points behind Reading in 15th place after winning five, drawing one and losing six of their 12 league matches.

The Gas will be satisfied with their recent form, having bounced back from five defeats in six league games to win three of their last four matches in third tier.

Matt Taylor‘s side claimed back-to-back league wins over Charlton Athletic and Burton Albion, before they fell to a 3-1 defeat in their away meeting with Huddersfield Town.

Jamie Lindsay got Bristol Rovers back to winning ways in Tuesday’s home game against Shrewsbury Town, with the midfielder scoring his second goal of the season to seal a narrow 1-0 win.

While they have turned a corner in recent games, the Gas still need to improve on their travels after losing four of their last five away games in League One.

Reading League One form:

Bristol Rovers League One form:

Bristol Rovers form (all competitions):

Team News

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Reading are still unable to call upon long-term absentee Andy Yiadom, who is expected to be out until the new year with a knee injury.

Defender Jeriel Dorsett is closing in on a return from an ankle injury, but it remains to be seen whether he will be ready for Saturday’s fixture.

Joel Pereira will retain his place between the posts after he returned from injury to make his fifth appearance of the season in Tuesday’s win over Exeter.

As for the visitors, they remain without the services of defender Joel Senior and forward Chris Martin due to hamstring and leg injuries respectively.

Taylor has confirmed that Gatlin O’Donkor is still “a couple of weeks away” from returning to action after missing the last two matches through injury.

After playing over half an hour of Tuesday’s win, Clinton Mola could come into the side to face his former club on Saturday.

Reading possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Craig, Bindon, Mbengue, Garcia; Knibbs, Wing, Savage; Akande, Ehibhatiomhan, Smith

Bristol Rovers possible starting lineup:
Griffiths; Moore, Taylor, Wilson, Mola; Lindsay, Conteh; Forde, Sotiriou, Sinclair; Omochere

We say: Reading 3-1 Bristol Rovers

Reading have won five of their six home league games this season, while Bristol Rovers have lost four of their last five away matches in the third tier.

With that in mind, we think the Royals will make full use of home advantage to take all three points from Saturday’s fixture.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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