Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League One clash between Reading and Crawley Town, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Crawley Town will look to end a run of five straight competitive defeats when they travel to the Select Car Leasing Stadium for Saturday’s League One clash with Reading.
The Reds are languishing in 22nd place in the League One table, while the Royals will head into the weekend in 17th position.
Match preview
© Imago
Reading may be sitting in the bottom half of the table, but they are just three points off the playoffs after winning four, drawing one and losing four of their nine league matches.
The Royals enjoyed success in their last two home outings, recording a narrow 2-1 win over Huddersfield Town before claiming a 3-1 victory against Burton Albion.
However, Ruben Selles‘ side experienced disappointment in their most recent outing against Rotherham United on October 5.
Lewis Wing gave the Royals the lead at the New York Stadium, but Sam Nombe and Hakeem Odoffin struck in the second half to condemn the Royals to a third consecutive away defeat in League One.
Having taken just one point from four away games, Reading will be looking forward to returning to the Select Car Leasing Stadium where they have won four of their five league matches this season.
© Imago
Rob Elliot is still searching for his first positive result as Crawley boss after beginning his tenure with three consecutive defeats.
Elliot, who was appointed following Scott Lindsey‘s departure to MK Dons, saw his new side fall to a 1-0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers in his first game in charge, before they conceded a stoppage-time goal to lose 4-3 in their EFL Trophy clash with Wimbledon.
The Reds then endured another poor defensive performance in last Saturday’s 5-3 home defeat against Shrewsbury Town, where they were forced to play the majority of the second half with ten men following Josh Flint‘s dismissal.
Goals from Will Swan, Junior Quitirna and Jeremy Kelly all got on the scoresheet at Broadfield Stadium, but their efforts ultimately proved to be in vain as Crawley slumped to their seventh loss in their last eight league games.
As a result of their poor run of form, Crawley will head to Berkshire with hopes of claiming their first league win since beating Cambridge United on August 17.
Reading League One form:
Crawley Town League One form:
Crawley Town form (all competitions):
Team News
© Imago
Reading are unable to call upon the services of Andy Yiadom, Jeriel Dorsett and Joel Pereira through injury.
Attacker Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan is set to serve a one-match suspension after being sent off for two bookable offences in the 68th minute.
With Ehibhatiomhan suspended, Selles could move Harvey Knibbs out to the left flank and bring Charlie Savage into the side to feature in a midfield three Ben Elliott and Harvey Knibbs.
As for the visitors, they expected to be without the goalkeeper duo of Eddie Beach and Ryan Sandford due to injury.
However, Crawley will be able to call upon their first-choice shot-stopper Joe Wollacott, who has returned from international duty with Ghana.
Flint is suspended following his red card against Shrewsbury, while Jay Williams will serve a one-match ban after picking up his fifth yellow card of the League One season.
Reading possible starting lineup:
Button; Craig, Mbengue, Bindon, Abrefa; Elliott, Wing, Savage; Campbell, Knibbs, Smith
Crawley Town possible starting lineup:
Wollacott; Mullarkey, Barker, Mukena; Forster, Ibrahim, Camara, Kelly; Quitirna, Darcy; Swan
We say: Reading 2-0 Crawley Town
Reading have won four of their five home league matches this season, and we think they will produce another strong home performance to condemn Crawley to a seventh consecutive defeat in all competitions.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.