Reading vs Stoke City. Sky Bet Championship.
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Thursday 29 November 2018 18:17, UK
Mo Barrow is expected to be back in action after illness as Reading host Stoke in Saturday's Championship clash.
Striker Sam Baldock remains a doubt after missing the last two matches with a knock, with fellow frontman Jon Dadi Bodvarsson also doubtful due to a back issue.
Academy striker Danny Loader has featured in the last two matches and will be primed for further action. Replacement forward Marc McNulty missed a penalty in Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Leeds, but has received strong backing from boss Paul Clement.
Peter Etebo will miss the Reading trip after his red card in Wednesday's 2-1 home win over Derby. The Nigeria midfielder will start a three-match ban for his dismissal against the Rams.
Tom Ince struck the winner on Wednesday on his return to Stoke's line-up after injury, so will be aiming to extend that good form at the weekend. Joe Allen picked up a fourth booking for the season on Wednesday, but will not face a ban even if booked this weekend - as the totting-up procedure reverts back to zero on November 30.
This is the first time Reading and Stoke have faced since February 2013 in the Premier League - the Potters won 2-1.
Stoke haven't won an away league match at Reading since December 1992 - they are winless in 13 matches there since (D5 L8).
Reading have picked up 10 points out of a possible 15 (P5 W3 D1 L1) from their last five games at the Madejski Stadium - they had lost each of their previous five league games there prior to this.
Stoke manager Gary Rowett has never lost an away Championship match at the Madejski Stadium against Reading (P4 W2 D2 L0).
No team has won fewer games in the Championship than Reading since the start of last season (14 of 65; ever-present sides only).
Stoke's current six-match unbeaten league run away from home (W2 D4) is their longest such streak on their travels since April 2010 in the Premier League, last going seven without a loss in January 2008 when they were promoted from the Championship.
Reading will have been gutted not to have come away from Leeds with a point on Tuesday night, especially after that late penalty save.
Stoke have drawn too many games lately but still seem to be building a little bit of momentum, and that win over Derby with 10 men on Wednesday night was absolutely massive and I reckon it will be another three points for them at the Madejski.
David Prutton predicts: 1-3 (16/1 with Sky Bet)
