Reading FC kick off the brand new 2024/25 League One campaign with a tough test against promotion favourites Birmingham City.
The Blues, who were relegated from the Championship last season, have invested heavily in the summer transfer window to try and ensure an instant return to England’s second tier.
At the other end of the spectrum, Reading who are still under a transfer embargo and a takeover saga, are the only club in the entire Football League to have not made a signing.
The Blues have made a total of eight permanent transfers so far this summer and have splashed out around £14million.
Among their spending spree, they spent £4m to sign Austrian defender Chrisoph Klaerer and also £4m on attacking midfielder Willum Thor Willumsson.
Birmingham appointed former Tottenham Hotspur assistant coach Chris Davies as their new manager in June.
The 39-year-old has coached at Swansea City, Liverpool, Celtic and Leicester City under Brendan Rodgers.
Reading were beaten on their last trip to St Andrews in December 2022.
Troy Deeney netted a double and despite a late fightback with goals from Lucas Joao and Tom Ince, Reading lost 3-2.
Reading will be without captain Andy Yiadom who is expected to be out for at least the first two months of the season.
However, Ruben Selles confirmed that there were no other injury concerns among the squad.
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports (5.30pm kick-off).
Predicted Reading line-up: Periera, Craig, Mbengue, Bindon, Garcia, Wing, Elliott, Knibbs, Azeez, Ehibhatiomhan, Smith
