Reading vs Rotherham preview
Thursday 21 February 2019 17:58, UK
Reading could be boosted by the return of Tyler Blackett, Ovie Ejaria and Liam Kelly for the crunch clash with Rotherham.
Blackett is back after recovering from a knock which kept him out of the 4-0 loss at Sheffield United, where Ejaria and Kelly both picked up ankle injuries. All three have returned to training.
Andy Rinomhota remains out with an ankle injury of his own while Saeid Ezatolahi has a quad injury and also misses out. Sam Baldock (thigh), Anssi Jaakkola (Achilles) and Jordan Obita (knee) are long-term absentees.
Rotherham have no fresh injury concerns. The Millers are still short in attack with Jamie Proctor (Achilles) and Kyle Vassell (ankle) occupying the treatment room.
On-loan defender Sean Raggett is nearing a return to action following an ankle injury. Darren Potter is back in training following an Achilles injury which has kept him out since December 2017 but he is unlikely to play any time soon.
Opta stats
Reading are unbeaten in 16 home matches against Rotherham United in all competitions (W12 D4) since a 0-3 league defeat in May 1977.
Rotherham are winless in five league matches against Reading (W0 D2 L3) since a 2-1 win in April 2015.
Only Ipswich (15) and Bolton (13) have registered fewer home points in the Championship this season than Reading (18), while only Ipswich (5) have won fewer away points than Rotherham (6).
Rotherham United have won just two of their last 27 matches in all competitions (D14 L11).
Nine of Nelson Oliveira's last 10 league goals have been scored in the second half of matches, including both for Reading.
Rotherham haven't drawn five consecutive league matches since March 1998.
Prutton's prediction
This is an absolutely massive game in the relegation battle. Only goal difference separates these two sides heading into their clash at the Madejski, and a win for either would go a long way for their survival hopes.
Rotherham have drawn four in a row but they would have been gutted to not hold on for all three points against Sheffield Wednesday. They are the only side without a win on the road all season in the Championship and I can't see that changing on Saturday.
David Prutton predicts: 1-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
