Reading boss Jaap Stam must decide whether to change a winning side at home to Cardiff on Monday night, with live coverage on Sky Sports Football from 7.30pm.

Stam kept faith with the same XI for a third consecutive game in the victory at Sunderland, which followed up their 3-0 win at home to Barnsley.

Live EFL

John Swift continues treatment on the midfielder's hamstring injury while midfielders George Evans (thigh) and Garath McCleary (groin) are stepping up their recovery. Callum Harriott (hamstring), Stephen Quinn and Joseph Mendes (both knee) also continue their rehabilitation, while defender Jordan Obita is out for the season after surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament.

Meanwhile, Cardiff - who are enjoying a four-game wining run - will be without Kenneth Zohore until the new year, who has not played for two months. Cardiff only recently identified the problem with the Danish striker, leading to car tissue being removed from an ankle.

Aron Gunnarsson (ankle) and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing (leg) will be assessed before the trip to Berkshire. Kadeem Harris is edging closer to rejoining the squad after being sidelined following summer surgery.

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Opta stats

Last season was Reading's first league double over Cardiff since the 2005/06 season, last winning three games in a row against the Bluebirds in November 2004.

Neil Warnock has lost more Football League games (excluding play-offs) against Reading than any other side (16).

Yann Kermorgant has had a hand in four goals in his last five league matches against Cardiff (three goals, one assist), scoring in both matches against them last season.

Cardiff are yet to drop a single point in Championship matches when they've gone ahead this season, winning all 13 of the matches in which they've taken the lead.

In his last 15 league matches this season, Modou Barrow has had a hand in seven goals (five goals, two assists) - as many as he managed in his previous 66 combined.

The Bluebirds have conceded fewer goals than any other Championship side this season (14) - after 20 matches last season, they had conceded 31 goals.

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Prutton's prediction

Very few people seem to be talking about Cardiff despite the fact they sit second in the table. That will please Neil Warnock though as he'll be more than happy to keep going about his business under the radar.

Reading have won their last two going into this game on Monday night and look to finally be hitting some form under Jaap Stam. This is a very tough game for them, though, and I'm backing Cardiff here.

David Prutton predicts: 1-2 with Junior Hoilett to score first (50/1 with Sky Bet)