Reading v Middlesbrough
Reading captain Paul McShane has made 10 appearances in the Championship this seasonClick here for live text coverage on Saturday 12:15-20:00 BST
Reading will be without striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (calf) but defender Paul McShane and midfielder John Swift should be fit to start.
Striker Yann Kermorgant is in contention for a return to the squad following hip and groin surgery.
Boro boss Garry Monk will name a strong line-up after making 10 changes in Tuesday's 3-1 loss to Bournemouth.
Monk has no new injury concerns as he looks for a victory to end a run of five league games without a win.
SAM's predictionHome win 30%Draw 28%Away win 42%
SAM, the Sports Analytics Machine, is a super-computer built by @ProfIanMcHale of the University of Liverpool.
Reading manager Jaap Stam told BBC Radio Berkshire:
"Facing a team like Middlesbrough on the run they currently are on can be difficult as they could really go for the result.
"It's the same situation for us, we really need to work hard and dig in deep to get the three points.
"There's pressure on them as a side as they've got the intention to go up this season and they've got the financial means to do that.
"We're going to face a good side, we know that. It's not going to be an easy task, but we're confident in ourselves that we can do well."
Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk told BBC Radio Tees:
"It's about trying to fight for consistency and using the capabilities we know we have to a better level - I'm sure you'll see us coming out fighting for that on Saturday.
"We have full confidence in these players, in the way that we're working, in how committed we are and I'm sure it will pay dividends for us."
Match factsReading have alternated between a win and a draw in each of their past five home league matches against Middlesbrough, with the Royals winning the last fixture (W3 D2).Middlesbrough have failed to score in six of their past eight league games against the Royals (W2 D2 L4).Reading's league matches this season have seen just 25 goals scored, fewer than any other Championship side - indeed, Middlesbrough's games have seen only 27, the joint second fewest (along with Norwich).Adama Traore has completed 46 of his 57 dribbles in the Championship this season, more than any other player.The Royals are the only Championship side to score all their goals from inside the box this season (11).Reading have only scored one first half goal in the Championship this season, fewer than any other side.
Source: bbc.com

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