Reading

PREVIEW: Reading v Sheffield Wednesday

This weekend promises to provide pulsating Championship drama as all of the top six prepare to go head to head, with Reading hosting Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday afternoon.

Japp Stam’s Royals are sitting pretty in the division, and are just five points short of an automatic promotion spot. If you ignore their recent 5-0 humbling at Fulham, Reading have been in terrific form and are arguably the surprise package in the second tier so far this season.

Prior to their Craven Cottage capitulation they registered five consecutive league victories for the first time since winning the division back in 2012. Wins over Rotherham, Forest, Wigan, Burton and Bristol City catapulted the Berkshire club into third spot and has undoubtedly given the whole town belief that Stam’s first season in English football could end in promotion.

However, visitors Wednesday haven’t been fairing too badly theirselves. Although their performances have failed to recapture the fluidity that they showed last season, back to back victories against Wolves and Preston have lifted the Owls back into the coveted top six spots.

Should they pick up all three points at the Madjeski Stadium on Saturday, they will leapfrog their hosts on goal difference.

Team news:

Reading will be without influential midfield man Danny Williams, who compounded their misery at Fulham by receiving a red card for an alleged stamp. The American has netted three times in 18 appearances so far this term.

He joins injured midfield men Stephen Quinn and John Swift on the list of absentees.

On a brighter note for the home side, defender Liam Moore is set to return from a suspension that caused him to miss the Fulham contest.

Carlos Carvalhal has more selection issues to ponder after his side picked up three injuries in the narrow win victory Preston. Ross Wallace and Glenn Loovens were forced off with injuries in the first period, and loanee Will Buckley sustained a shoulder problem after the interval.

Most crucially, the Yorkshiremen will be without Fernando Forestieri. The flamboyant Italian received his marching orders for an off the ball incident with Preston midfielder Ben Pearson, and will serve the first leg of his three match suspension.

To further dampen the Owls’ selection woes, previously in-form hitman Gary Hooper is likely to be sidelined until 2017 is underway. Steven Fletcher is likely to return to the starting line-up as Lucas Joao’s strike partner.

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