Reading host Preston North End in a matchup of teams with playoff aspirations in the EFL Championship.

A goalless draw with Luton Town saw the Royals held off the scoresheet for just the fifth time all season and victory in this match sees them up to seventh in the table.

Brad Potts scored the only goal of the match to give the Lilywhites a 1-0 win over Swansea and should they come out on top, they will move into fifth.

This fixture has seen Reading win seven of the last nine meetings since 2018 with one Preston victory and one draw.

Team news

Reading

Mamadou Loum should take his place in the midfield after serving a one-match ban for yellow card accumulation.

Defender Tom Holmes is doubtful after picking up a calf injury in the draw with Luton on Tuesday. 

Fellow center-back Tom McIntyre missed the match on Tuesday with a neck issue, but is likely to return here.

Manager Paul Ince has said Sam Hutchinson is unlikely to return with Scott Dann, Naby Sarr, Liam Moore and Femi Azeez all still out.

Preston North End

Midfielder Ben Whiteman sustained a small tear in his thigh and has been ruled out for the next two games.

Patrick Bauer continues to recover from appendix surgery, playing with the reserves while Troy Parrott remains sidelined with a hamstring issue.

Likely line-ups

Reading: Lumley; Mbengue, Holmes, Yiadom; Guinness-Walker, Loum, Hendrick, Hoilett; Ince, Meite; Carroll

Preston North End: Woodman; Hughes, Lindsay, Storey; Brady, Browne, Ledson, McCann, Potts; Riis, Maguire

Key players

Tom Ince (Reading)

Playing for his dad seems to have revitalized his career after signing a three-year deal with the Royals. He's been utilized in several different areas at the top end of the pitch and has four goals, tops on the club and three assists.

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Emil Ris Jakobsen (Preston North End)

The Dane returned to English football with the Lilywhites in 2020 and hit for 20 goals in all competitions last season. He's the club's leading scorer so far this season with five goals to his name and has 28 in 109 appearances for the Deepdale outfit.

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Match facts

Where is the match being played?

The Select Car Leasing Stadium, home to Reading since 2000, will play host to this match.

What time is the match?

Kick-off is set for 9pm BST.

How can I watch the match?

This fixture has been chosen for live television with Sky Sports Football having coverage beginning an hour before kick-off.