Reading vs Sunderland. Sky Bet Championship.
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Friday 13 April 2018 12:07, UK
Reading midfielder Leandro Bacuna will sit out the Sky Bet Championship clash with Sunderland as he starts a three-game ban.
Bacuna was sent off late on in Tuesday night's 1-0 defeat at Fulham for a challenge on Ryan Sessegnon. Defender Tyler Blackett has missed the last two games through illness and will be assessed ahead of kick-off.
Midfielder Dave Edwards returned from a one-match suspension at Craven Cottage in the only change to the side which beat Preston 1-0 at the weekend.
Sunderland boss Chris Coleman is likely to be without defenders John O'Shea and Adam Matthews for the trip to the Madejski Stadium. Both were forced off during Tuesday night's 1-1 home draw with Norwich and while O'Shea is unlikely to recover in time, Matthews has definitely been ruled out.
Midfielder Lynden Gooch, who also limped off against the Canaries, has a good chance of making it, while Paddy McNair, who missed the midweek game with a knock, is expected to return to training on Friday and could yet play a part. However, Robbin Ruiter (dislocated finger), Tyias Browning (knee) and Duncan Watmore (knee ligaments) are still sidelined.
The Royals have won their last three home league matches against Sunderland, although this is their first meeting at the Madejski Stadium since February 2013.
None of the last 11 league meetings between the teams have ended as a draw, with Reading winning six and Sunderland five of those 11 games.
Paul Clement has already won as many home Championship games for Reading in his first two matches as Jaap Stam managed in his last 17 in charge (2).
Sunderland haven't lost when scoring first in the Championship this season (W6 D10) but the Black Cats have scored first in their last two games and failed to win either, drawing 1-1 against both Leeds and Norwich.
Modou Barrow has been involved in 14 Championship goals for Reading this season (10 goals, 4 assists) - six more than any other player.
Chris Coleman has lost five of his six league meetings with Reading, drawing the other.
Sunderland looked like they may have given themselves one against Norwich in midweek, and that late equaliser would have come as such a blow. It was a similar story against Leeds on Saturday, and in the end only two points were accrued from winning positions.
Reading are not quite out of the woods yet, but one more win should do it. They've won both their home games under Paul Clement so far and I feel like they'll do so again.
David Prutton predicts: 1-0 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
