Reading and Northampton Town hope for some festive League One cheer when they face off at the Madejski Stadium on Boxing Day.
Neither side enters gameweek 22 in pleasing form: the Royals are winless in three league games (losing two) and take on a relegation-threatened opponent who have lost three on the trot without scoring.
Match preview
Although Reading's play-off prospects have suffered in recent gameweeks since Ruben Selles departed for Hull City, they remain in the top-six conversation despite losing two on the trot.
Recent defeats to Blackpool (3-0) and Lincoln City (2-0) since the managerial change have halted their previous five-match unbeaten streak (two wins), disrupting their form with a lack of goals and defensive vulnerabilities.
Consequently, the Lincoln defeat saw the Royals overtaken in the League One table by the Lincolnshire outfit, though only on goal difference.
Boxing Day success for Hunt's men, who are seventh, and Lincoln dropping points would see them rise to sixth, although that outcome is uncertain given that the sixth-placed team visit bottom side Shrewsbury Town.
Contrarily, losing to Northampton could have consequences for the hosts, with Bolton Wanderers (also on 31 points), Barnsley (30) and Mansfield Town (28) all closing in on Reading.
Having won seven of nine matches at the Madejski, the home support should be optimistic entering Boxing Day, especially against a side battling relegation.
Although the visitors hoped to turn the tide following December 9's 2-1 success over Peterborough United, that triumph offered temporary respite for the Cobblers, who have suffered three defeats on the trot before Christmas.
New boss Kevin Nolan takes charge of the club for the first time, keen to steady the ship for the side in 20th and ultimately beat the drop.
Safety remains a long way away for the visitors, who sit two points clear of Crawley Town in the first relegation place and four ahead of 22nd-placed Cambridge United, having played a game more than both clubs.
Losing four of their previous five gameweeks in League One underlines Nolan's task in the job, a mission magnified by the club firing blanks in three of those fixtures and five of the previous eight.
Issues in both boxes could undermine the former midfielder's remit to survive relegation, and it will be fascinating to see how the new boss steers the Cobblers to safety.
Team News
Louie Holzman's 37th-minute sending-off at Lincoln left Reading in the lurch, and the centre-back is absent for the visit of Northampton.
Hunt is anticipated to be without the injured trio of Andy Yiadom, Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and Kelvin Abrefa against the struggling visitors.
Sam Smith (four goals), Lewis Wing (three), Charlie Savage (three) and Chem Campbell (two) have netted a combined 12 goals in home games for Reading this term, highlighting their importance on Boxing Day.
Nolan could be without the doubtful Harvey Lintott, but Patrick Brough, Ali Koiki, Callum Morton and Jack Sowerby are not expected to play any part for Northampton.
Cameron McGeehan netted a brace for the Cobblers in their last victory at Peterborough, and the attacking midfielder should support centre-forward Tom Eaves in Berkshire.
Reading possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Craig, Mbengue, Bindon, Dorsett; Eliott, Wing, Savage; Campbell, Smith, Knibbs
Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Burge; Odimayo, Eyoma, Guthrie, Guinness-Walker; Fox, Chouchane; Pinnock, McGeehan, Hoskins; Eaves
We say: Reading 2-0 Northampton Town
While Northampton could be boosted by a different voice in the dressing room, the hosts should secure a routine win on Boxing Day.
Reading have the fifth-best home return in League One, and that statistic should be advantageous against an opponent winless in their last eight road matches (five losses).
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