Reading play host to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday afternoon looking to bounce back from two matches without a victory in the Championship.

Nevertheless, the Royals remain in fifth position in the standings at a time when their opponents are managerless and sitting in the relegation zone.

Match preview

For the first time this season, Reading have gone two matches without a win, a sign of the vast improvements that Paul Ince has brought about at the club.

That said, there is no doom and gloom at the Berkshire outfit, with a 1-1 draw being earned against high-flying Norwich City and a late 2-1 defeat coming versus in-form Queens Park Rangers.

Even with those setbacks, the Royals remain two points adrift of top spot, and Ince will be optimistic that they can return to winning ways against one of the division's most under-performing teams.

The fixture will bring about a reunion for Andy Carroll, who spent the second half of last season at The Hawthorns before departing at the end of the campaign.

The former England international has recently proven his fitness with three starts in succession, although his only goal since his return came from the penalty spot in the last game.

As for West Brom, Under-21s boss Richard Beale has been placed in temporary charge after Steve Bruce was unsurprisingly removed from his position in the dugout.

The goalless draw at home to Luton Town made it eight matches without success for the Baggies, keeping the club in the relegation zone by two points.

Ahead of their next fixture in the second tier, there appears to be no clear frontrunner for the role on a full-time basis, and Beale will hope that his players can play with a level of freedom in a bid to get back to winning ways.

Despite only suffering two defeats in away matches during 2022-23, West Brom are yet to win away from their West Midlands home, something which needs to change if they are to retain any hope of challenging for promotion later in the season.

Team News

With Sam Hutchinson to spend a number of weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, Andy Yiadom is expected to drop into the Reading back three.

That will allow Junior Hoilett to return at right wing-back, while Ince must decide whether to tinker with his setup in the final third.

Either Lucas Joao or Carroll could drop out to accommodate the return of Tom Ince.

While Beale may opt to stick with the 3-4-3 formation which was used against Luton, the caretaker Baggies boss could make changes in personnel.

John Swift is likely to be recalled for the game against his former club, with Tom Rogic and Karlan Grant also pushing for opportunities.

Reading possible starting lineup:
Lumley; Yiadom, Holmes, McIntyre; Hoilett, Hendrick, Loum, Fornah, Guinness-Walker; Joao, Carroll

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Palmer; O'Shea, Kelly, Pieters; Phillips, Livermore, Rogic, Townsend; Wallace, Swift; Grant

We say: Reading 2-1 West Bromwich Albion

With West Brom now under temporary management, anything can happen given the quality within their squad. However, we cannot back against Reading on home turf, leading us to predict a relatively comfortable win for the Royals which may be made to look closer by a late consolation goal.

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