Reading vs Nottingham Forest preview
Thursday 2 April 2020 11:55, UK
New signings Ovie Ejaria and Lewis Baker could make their Reading debuts against Nottingham Forest.
Midfielders Ejaria and Baker have arrived on loan from Liverpool and Chelsea respectively this week.
Defender Tiago Ilori should be available despite a slight injury against Manchester United last weekend while forward Jon Dadi Bodvarsson is back in contention. Chris Gunter was in the matchday squad at Old Trafford after a muscle injury and the full-back should be involved once more.
Simon Ireland will take charge of Nottingham Forest after manager Aitor Karanka's request to be released from his contract was granted by the club. Ireland will be joined in the dugout by defender Michael Dawson, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring problem.
Goalkeeper Jordan Smith, who has slipped down the pecking order, has joined Mansfield on loan until the end of the season. Smith was sent off on his only appearance for the club this season and spent a short spell on loan at Barnsley.
Opta stats
Reading have won their last three home league matches against Nottingham Forest.
Nottingham Forest are looking to achieve their first league double over Reading since the 2014-15 campaign.
Reading have lost eight league matches at the Madejski Stadium this season, more home defeats than any other side in the division.
Reading's John Swift, who has had the most shots in the Championship this season without scoring (41), netted two goals in this exact fixture last season, firing the Royals to a 3-1 victory over Forest.
Nottingham Forest's Ben Osborn has scored three goals in nine league games against Reading, more than versus any other opponent.
Prutton's prediction
David Prutton predicts: 1-2 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
