READING FC will be determined to keep their improved form going when they face relegation rivals Cheltenham Town on Friday.
The Royals picked up an important point on the road away to promotion chasing Peterborough United thanks to Femi Azeez’s 85th minute equaliser.
Friday’s opponents Cheltenham have spent most of the season at the bottom of the table, but have now lifted themselves up the table with back-to-back wins.
Heading into Friday’s game, Reading and Cheltenham occupy 21st and 22nd respectively with both teams on 19 points, although the Robins have a game in hand.
It’s been a fruitful Chrismtas period for Cheltenham so far who kicked off proceedings with a 1-0 victory at fellow strugglers Carlisle United with a Liam Sercombe goal.
Cheltenham then followed that win up with another on Boxing Day with an impressive home success against Shrewsbury.
George Lloyd was on the scoresheet twice to push his team up the table.
Despite their improved form, Cheltenham have scored the least goals in the League One table having netted just 15 times in 22 games, 14 goals fewer than Reading.
Meanwhile, they have conceded 30 times which is seven times fewer than the Royals.
The team’s met at the Select Car Leasing Stadium back in August which saw the Royals collect three points with Will Ferry’s 33rd minute own goal being the only goal of the game.
Reading will be hoping to have club captain Andy Yiadom back in contention after he has missed the last two league games with a knee injury, while defender Tom McIntyre is close to returning from a muscle injury.
Predicted Reading line-up: Button, Mbengue, Abbey, Holmes, Dorsett, Craig, Wing, Azeez, Knibbs, Mukairu, Smith
