Reading vs Birmingham preview
Friday 3 May 2019 13:19, UK
Reading defender John O'Shea will be hoping to return from injury in time to make his final professional appearance when Reading host Birmingham on the last day of the Sky Bet Championship season.
The former Manchester United man announced his decision to retire following Sunday's match earlier in the week - on his 38th birthday - and he will be hoping to play some part. Fellow defender Paul McShane is back in training and could return to action.
Tyler Blackett is a doubt with a hamstring injury, while Nelson Oliveira and Yakou Meite are out.
Birmingham boss Garry Monk has some late decisions to make before the trip to Berkshire. Monk said some "knocks and bruises" had been sustained so the affected players will be assessed.
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Harlee Dean, who requires surgery to be ready for next season, remains out. Birmingham are unbeaten in their last seven games and will be looking to finish the season on a high, having already secured their Championship status.
Opta stats
Reading have already beaten Birmingham at home once this season, winning 2-0 in a League Cup match in August.
Birmingham have lost none of their last four away league matches against Reading (W3 D1 L0), keeping clean sheets in each match.
Reading have lost against Birmingham on the last two occasions they've faced them in their final league match of the season, losing in 2008-09 and 2011-12.
Birmingham are unbeaten in their final league match in the last seven seasons (W4 D3 L0) since losing 1-2 to Tottenham Hotspur in 2010-11.
Reading haven't lost any of their last seven league matches played on Sunday (W4 D3 L0) since a 0-3 defeat to Middlesbrough in December 2013.
Birmingham are unbeaten in six Championship games (W2 D4 L0) - only Norwich (13) and Aston Villa (12) are on a longer unbeaten run.
Prutton's prediction
David Prutton predicts: 2-2 (12/1 with Sky Bet)
