Reading host Millwall as they look to increase their foothold in the top six

Having lost to Brentford in midweek Reading look to return to winning ways on Saturday afternoon as they welcome Gary Rowett’s Millwall to the Madejski Stadium.

Last time out, the Royals suffered a 3-1 defeat at home to table-toppers Brentford. Despite taking an early lead, Championship top goal-scorer Ivan Toney proved too hot to handle for the home side.

Lucas Joao opened the scoring from the penalty spot after just 25 minutes, before Josh Dasilva rescinded Reading’s lead before half time.

It was a fairly even encounter between the two sides as Reading looked to seal a second successive draw, however, two goals in the final 10 minutes gave the away side all three points to go top of the table.

The Bees frontman had direct involvement in every goal providing an assist for a second Dasilva goal before the Englishman used his striker’s instinct to latch onto a loose ball and notch his name on the scoresheet.

Defeat for the Berkshire side meant that their seven-league game unbeaten run came to an end, slipping from fourth to fifth position.

Speaking to Reading’s official website, manager Veljko Paunovic drew the positives out of his sides loss, he added: “Even against a team like Brentford today, who really showed a lot of quality. We weren’t intimidated. We played our game, we played our way, and that is what is required to be a player at Reading Football Club.

“We matched them. The players can be proud of themselves. And they should go into every single game with the confidence that we are contenders.”

Meanwhile, visitors Millwall will travel to the Madejski in full confidence after extending their unbeaten league run to five games last time out, accumulating two wins and three draws, holding promotion hopefuls Watford and Norwich to nil-nil draws.

On Saturday, Gary Rowett’s squad welcomed Championship strugglers, Sheffield Wednesday to The Den, securing all three points in a thrilling victory.

The Lions had to resurrect their fighting spirit after going behind inside the opening 10 minutes, thanks to Callum Paterson opening the scoring.

That early lead turned completely on its head as Millwall started to find their feet. Kenneth Zohore levelled the scoreline from the penalty spot on the 39^th minute.

Two goals in quick succession saw the host’s take a two-goal lead into the final 20 minutes of the game before Mahlon Romeo rounded off the afternoon as the Londoners ran out 4-1 victors.

A win at the Madejski could see the visitors climb up to 11^th in the table, depending on results elsewhere.

Millwall have seemed to lack that cutting edge in attack in the first half of the campaign, as they have only accrued 26 goals in 28 games. Sat 14^th in the table, this perhaps reflects their lack of decisiveness in attack and hopeful ambitions of the top six.

Likewise, Kenneth Zohore will be looking to be on the scoresheet after scoring last time out – he also found the net in the sides’ last meeting.

Alternatively, Reading will be contingent upon Lucas Joao for their attacking exploits. The Portuguese has netted 16 times already this season, positioning himself third in the Championship top goal-scorer table. Scoring five times in his last six outings.

Team News

Reading pair John Swift and Yakou Meite are set to be sidelined for the remainder of the month at the very least.

Swift has suffered a recurrence of that hamstring injury which kept him out of the first half of the campaign, while Meite is out with a problematic groin.

Meite took to social media to say: “So so upset! I’ve been working so hard to come back in the team for these games!

“I wish good luck to the team; I will always be here to support my teammates and will do my best to be back for the Last Push.”

Romanian striker George Puscas remains out after undergoing surgery to nurture a groin strain; however, he is understood to be progressing well and is likely to return to training next week.

Club captain Liam Moore remains in the treatment room after suffering a fracture to his left foot. Brazilian, Felipe Araruna is also set to miss out, however, could be available to call upon by the end of February, along with previously mentioned teammates Puscas and Moore.

Millwall should have the best part of a full squad available to pick from in this game. The only major injury blow, Ryan Leonard who is expected to miss around two months of action after suffering ankle ligament damage against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Head-to-head

 The two teams have met on 106 occasions in the past. Reading have a slightly better record with 43 wins and 24 draws, whilst Millwall have been victorious on 39 previous occasions.

The sides last met on 25^th November 2020 as they both had to settle for a share of the spoils, goals from Jed Wallace and Lucas Joao ensured the teams cancelled each other out for a 1-1 draw.

Veljko Paunović’s Reading are the only Championship side yet to draw a home league game (W9, L5), with nine of their 14 home games so far ending via a 2+ goal margin. Fans will hope for a win worthy of royalty as Reading are entered as favourites here.

Gary Rowett’s Millwall have picked up 20 of their 35-point haul away from home though, but inconsistency is rife – four of Millwall’s five away league wins this term followed defeat in their prior trip.

Millwall are enriched in this fixture, winning as many league H2Hs across the last seven (W4, D1, L2) as in the 23 prior.

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