The play-off push continues as Reading welcome Nottingham Forest to the Madjeski

The Championship’s in-form side Reading aim to extend their unbeaten run to eight with the visit of Nottingham Forest.

But Mark Bowen’s side’s task could prove challenging with Saturday’s counterparts similarly in a healthy position. Despite a mixed recent run – amassing 11 points in their previous eight matches but on a three game winning streak – Forest currently sit fourth in the table and with a game in hand on their play-off rivals.

Meanwhile, the hosts find themselves in 14th position, six points adrift of a play-off spot. Whilst their last taste of defeat came on the 7th of December and have picked up the most points of any Championship side since, a turgid start to the season meant progression up the table has been slow-going.

Team news

Full-back Andy Yiadom remains the only long-term absentee for Reading while the striking duo of Sam Baldock and George Puscas return to the fold and are in contention to feature.

Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi is expected to recall a whole host of players who were rested in last week’s FA Cup defeat to Chelsea.

Yuri Ribeiro, Carl Jenkinson and Yohan Benalouane all returned from injury at Stamford Bridge and are fit for Saturday’s trip to Berkshire. Spanish centre-back Chema is likely to miss out as he continues his recovery from a hip injury.

From the dug out

With their counterparts winning their previous three league outings, Reading boss Mark Bowen is aware of the task his players face: 

“So far this season, Forest have had a couple of spells where they’ve lost a couple of games but, they have always bounced back.

“And they have got the likes of Lewis Grabban, who Reading fans will know and who knows this league; he’s a clever striker so we’ll need to really concentrate.

“All over the park, we need to make sure we get back to what we’ve been doing before this short break.”

Nottingham Forest head coach Sabri Lamouchi remains confident that his side can kick-on and stay at the top-end of the table: 

“There is a good atmosphere, because the results are what they are. We deserved them, but it was really tough.

“Now the problem is not what we have done, it has been really good, it is only what we will do for the rest of the season. The past is the past and we have to focus on now.

“I am happy because Christmas time was positive, but positive because the players worked hard and did a great job. We need to be all together, very concentrated and with a big determination.”

Head-to-head

Reading wins: 16

Draws: 10

Nottingham Forest wins: 20

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