Reading look to maintain momentum as they host struggling Sheffield Wednesday

Reading have their sights set on a third consecutive league victory as they welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the Madejski Stadium this weekend.

It’s a game that features two clubs with contrasting priorities. The Royals will want to extend on back-to-back wins in a push for automatic promotion, while the Owls look to overcome a five-game losing streak in order to build momentum at the bottom of the table.

Reading have got their mojo back after suffering shock losses to Wycombe Wanderers and Middlesbrough in February. Veljko Paunovic’s side have won two games on the bounce, beating Rotherham United and Blackburn Rovers, keeping two clean sheets in the process.

The Berkshire side came out on top against Blackburn despite having 32% of the ball, a drastic decline from their season average of 60%. George Puscas linked up with Lucas Joao to put Reading ahead after 24 minutes. It was the 24-year-old’s third goal of the season that lead to Reading’s 17th victory of the campaign.

Sheffield Wednesday sit 23rd in the table and are seven points from safety having earned just 28 points from 33 matches so far this campaign, which includes their six-point deduction they were handed by the EFL.

Former West Bromwich Albion boss Darren Moore was appointed manager after having a successful spell with Doncaster Rovers in League One.

Moore was thrown into the deep end, covering his first game just 24 hours after putting pen to paper at Hillsborough. His side lost 2-1 to Rotherham United after Freddie Ladapo scored a stunner in the dying embers of the match.

In terms of the top six, Saturday’s game is gargantuan for Reading. The likes of AFC Bournemouth and Barnsley are on the Royals’ tail, plus Swansea, who are in fourth place, have two games in hand on the fifth-paced Royals. Three points are vital for Paunovic and co in order to cement a spot in the Play-Offs.

At the lower echelons of the division, three points for Wednesday are mandatory. The Owls are the most out of form side in the league and are sinking further into the drop. With the likes of Birmingham City and Rotherham now picking up points, Moore’s men require something out of the match this weekend.

Reading’s free-flowing attacking players with the likes of Lucas Joao, Michael Olise and Ovie Ejaria will inevitably cause the leaky defence of Sheffield Wednesday problems. The trio have directly contributed to 46 goals combined in all competitions this season.

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The hosts will be without centre-back Michael Morrison. The experienced defender was forced off in Reading’s win over Blackburn. Tom Mcintyre is set to start. Tom Swift is still unavailable for selection, as well as Yakou Meite.

Andy Rinomhota was absent from the squad in the Blackburn game after he came off late in the win over Rotherham.

For the away side, there are a plethora of injury struggles. Starting with the goalkeeping department, Joe Wildsmith is the only fit goalkeeper with Kieren Westwood and Cameron Dawson remain sidelined.

Former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Dominic Iorfa is unavailable as well as midfielder Massimo Luongo with Andre Green missing out due to an Achilles injury.

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Reading vs Sheffield Wednesday: Stats

The home side are looking to make it three consecutive wins for the first time since October.

The Royals have won just one of their previous eight encounters with Sheffield Wednesday. The last time Reading triumphed was a 3-0 win in February 2020.

The Royals have scored the most goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches of any side in the Championship this season with six.

Reading have kept four clean sheets in their last six home league meetings with Sheffield Wednesday, winning each time they did but failing to win when they conceded.

Owls striker Callum Paterson has scored in each of his last three starts against Reading. The 26-year-old scored twice for former club Cardiff City and with Sheffield Wednesday earlier this season.

Wednesday have won both of their previous two league visits at the Madejski Stadium, however, they’ve never won three on the bounce in the division.

Ben Haywood will be at Madejski Stadium to report on the encounter, keep an eye out for updates here

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