READING will be expecting one of their toughest tests of the season when they travel to face League One front runners Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday.
The Royals have been in resurgent form which has seen them move out of the drop zone despite having a third victory on the bounce snatched away from them after Fleetwood netted a 95th minute leveller on Tuesday night.
Despite that late disappointment, Ruben Selles’ side go into Saturday on a run of six league games without a loss with their recent string of results lifting them up to 16th place, four points clear of the relegation zone.
At the other end of the table, Pompey are flying high in pole position as they plot a return to the Championship for what would be the first time in 12 years.
John Mousinho’s side currently occupy top spot having picked up 69 points from 33 matches which gives them a six point lead over closest challengers Derby County, while third placed Bolton are seven points behind but with three games in hand.
Since suffering a shock 3-0 home defeat to Leyton Orient in January, Pompey have won five of their last six matches as they continued their strong streak with a 3-1 success over Cambridge United on Tuesday.
Portsmouth striker Colby Bishop is currently joint fourth on the list of top scorers in the league with 15 goals in 31 games, while Paddy Lane has enjoyed excellent output by contributing 10 goals and six assists.
When the team’s met at the SCL in October, Pompey had to come back from two goals down to go back to the south coast with all three points.
After the Royals fans had executed an effective protest against owner Dai Yongge with a march through the town centre to the stadium prior to the game, the team gave the supporters plenty to cheer about in the opening half an hour.
Goals from Lewis Wing and Charlie Savage gave the Royals a surprising lead against the promotion hopefuls, but Pompey showed their top of the table credentials with an impressive comeback.
Tino Anjorin netted to put the visitors back in the contest before Bishop struck with the final play of the first-half to square the game.
With momentum now firmly with them, Portsmouth went in front before the hour mark through Terry Devlin which proved to be the winner.
Reading will be hoping to have club captain Andy Yiadom and Sam Smith back for the weekend after they both missed out on the Tuesday night game at Fleetwood.
Meanwhile, former Royal Tom McIntyre will not get his reunion with Reading having moved to Pompey in the January transfer window after he sustained an ankle injury on his debut for the club which is expected to keep him out for the remainder of the season.
Predicted Reading line-up: Button, Yiadom, Bindon, Mbengue, Mola, Craig, Wing, Knibbs, Azeez, Mukairu, Smith
