Reading FC will be looking to continue their home winning run when they host Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The Royals have won their opening two matches at the Select Car Leasing Stadium against Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers and have lost their first two away matches at Blackpool and Rotherham.
Reading ended Blackburn’s 100% winning start on Wednesday evening with an exceptional 3-0 victory with goals from Tom McIntyre, Junior Hoilett and Lucas Joao.
Saturday’s opponents have made a faltering start to the season and are yet to win having drawn three and lost one of their opening four games.
Wilder replaced Neil Warnock as Boro boss in November 2021 and helped to upturn their fortunes
He won the EFL manager of the month award in December after his team won four out of five matches and made a push for the play-offs.
However, their season ended in disappointment as they finished one place and five points outside of the top six.
Boro started the 2022/23 campaign with a home draw against West Bromwich Albion after Isaiah Jones’ opener was cancelled out by former Reading player John Swift.
They were then beaten 3-2 at QPR before a 2-2 home draw to Sheffield United.
Boro were on the cusp of getting three points at Stoke City on Wednesday when Phil Jagielka’s goal gave them a 2-1 advantage, but a stoppage time equaliser from D’Margio Wright-Phillps meant the points were shared.
Reading were victorious when Boro last visited the SCL in September 2021 as Alen Halilovic scored the only goal of the contest.
However, the Royals do have a poor record in recent meetings with Boro where they have one win, one draw and nine defeats in their last eleven matches.
Reading have already had injury issues at the start of this season, but will be hoping to have Sam Hutchinson back in contention for this weekend after Paul Ince revealed that he is expected to be back in training this week.
