Reading and Bournemouth square off in the Championship on Friday evening with just two points separating the clubs in the standings.

While the Royals are fifth after putting together a five-match unbeaten streak, the Cherries have recently dropped down to sixth spot courtesy of failing to win any of their last three games.

Match preview

Having witnessed their side fail to take advantage of their storming start to the season, there will be a number of Reading supporters who will be disappointed with their current league position.

Nevertheless, Veljko Paunovic and his Royals squad deserve huge credit for getting back on track, particularly since Boxing Day with 11 points being collected from five games.

While losing to Luton Town in the FA Cup came as a disappointment, Paunovic will be happy to focus his attention on trying to keep the club in the playoffs.

Although victory on Friday would go a long way towards strengthening their grip of a top-six spot in the long term, Reading still have genuine ambitions of automatic promotion.

Lucas Joao has scored eight times from 10 matches since the start of November, and Paunovic knows that he needs to keep the 27-year-old fit for the second half of the campaign.

Bournemouth counterpart Jason Tindall will feel the same regarding Jack Wilshere, who netted his first Cherries goal in the FA Cup win over Crawley Town on Tuesday night.

The former England international was making his first start since September, and Tindall will be desperate to have the midfielder available for selection over the coming months.

In the short term, Tindall's priority is ensuring that Bournemouth get back to winning ways as soon as possible to avoid dropping out of the playoff places.

The South Coast outfit have recorded just five points from their last six matches, a run which will only motivate the chasing pack to take full advantage of any further slip-ups in their upcoming games.

Reading Championship form: LWDWWD
Reading form (all competitions): WDWLWD

Bournemouth Championship form: DLWDLL
Bournemouth form (all competitions): WWDLLW

Team News

Despite his performance on Tuesday night, Wilshere will likely be replaced by Jefferson Lerma in the Bournemouth XI.

Adam Smith and Dominic Solanke should also get the nod ahead of Jack Stacey and Josh King.

Paunovic could opt to name the same Reading side which were held to a goalless draw at Preston North End.

However, Alfa Semedo and Michael Olise are both pushing for recalls after the Royals failed to find the back of the net at Deepdale.

Reading possible starting lineup:
Cabral; Holmes, Morrison, McIntyre, Richards; Rinomhota, Laurent; Olise, Swift, Ejaria; Joao

Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Begovic; Smith, S.Cook, Kelly, Rico; L.Cook, Lerma, Billing; Brooks, Solanke, Groeneveld

We say: Reading 2-1 Bournemouth

While Bournemouth would have been happy to progress further in the FA Cup, the reduced preparation for this game can only benefit their opponents. Reading are well rested after the weekend, and we feel that the Royals should outlast their promotion rivals at the Madejski Stadium.

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