Reading FC face a tough test on Tuesday night in their quest for League One survival up against promotion chasing Derby County.
The Royals go into the contest on the back of a disappointing home defeat to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday. After conceding a late penalty, Reading missed the chance to move further away from the relegation places with the threat of further points deductions on the horizon.
Reading are five points above the drop zone, while the Rams are fighting at the other end of the table and are in second spot.
Paul Warne’s team have their sights set on automatic promotion and currently in a fierce fight to finish in the top three to ensure a place in the Championship.
They trail leaders Portsmouth by five points, but are a point above Bolton and four points above Peterborough, who have a game in hand.
After successive defeats to Barnsley and Charlton, the Rams have redeemed themselves with 3-0 wins over both Port Vale and Bristol Rovers.
A strong second-half showing from Derby helped them collect three points at Rovers on Saturday with goals from Dwight Gayle, Tom Barkhuizen and Martyn Waghorn.
James Collins currently leads the way for Derby in the goalscoring charts with 13 goals in 32 games, while Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has eight goals and an exceptional 15 assists to his name.
Despite their differing fortunes in the league, it was Reading who collected all three points when the teams met at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in January.
Paul Mukairu netted the only goal of the game to help the Royals to a clean sheet success.
Ruben Selles is expecting to have defender Jeriel Dorsett back for selection, while Tom Holmes is still facing a few more weeks out of action.
Predicted Reading line-up: Button, Yiadom, Mbengue, Bindon, Mola, Savage, Wing, Knibbs, Azeez, Ehibhatiomhan, Smith
