Reading play host to Stoke City on Saturday afternoon looking to record their third successive victory in the Championship.

Meanwhile, the Potters make the trip to the Madejski Stadium having avoided defeat in their last four outings at the second tier.

Match preview

Despite having recorded five wins from their last 10 outings in the Championship, Stoke still have plenty of work to do when it comes to avoiding relegation to League One.

However, after a four-match unbeaten run which has led to eight points, Michael O'Neill will be confident that his side have the right mentality to ensure that the Potters do not remain in the battle for survival.

Although the long-term injury to Joe Allen is an obvious blow, the team's work ethic is proving too strong for many of their opponents and another three points at the weekend will strengthen the argument that the Staffordshire-based outfit are only outsiders to drop down to the third tier.

While only Sam Clucas has reached double figures this season, O'Neill will perhaps take greater heart from many of his attack-minded players chipping in with goals during an important period of the campaign.

As far as Reading are concerned, Mark Bowen will be delighted with how his side have bounced back from a seven-match winless streak and two defeats on the bounce.

The latter was interrupted by the 3-0 thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, before successive wins were recently recorded against Barnsley and Birmingham City respectively.

The upturn in results has led to the Royals sitting nine points above the drop zone, as well as being just eight adrift of the playoffs.

As it stands, claiming a place in the top six will probably be out of their reach, but getting the better of Stoke at the weekend will keep the pressure on the teams above them in the table.

First half goals have proven to be an issue for Reading, however, with just two strikes from open play coming in half-a-dozen matches.

Reading Championship form: LWLLWW
Reading form (all competitions): WLLWLW

Stoke City Championship form: LLWDDW

Team News

With Allen missing for the rest of the season, O'Neill will be forced into at least one change to his first XI.

Tashan Oakley-Boothe, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, is expected to get the nod having impressed against Hull City last weekend.

Barring any late injury issues, the rest of the team could stay the same, leaving Sam Vokes to remain on the substitutes' bench.

Bowen is also expected to keep alterations to a minimum after the second-half comeback at St Andrew's.

Despite coming off the bench to net Reading's third goal, midfielder Pele is likely to remain among the replacements on Saturday.

Reading possible starting lineup:
Cabral; Yiadom, Morrison, Miazga, Richards; Swift, Rinomhota; Meita, Ejaria, Olise; Puscas

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Butland; Smith, Chester, Batth, Martins Indi; Thompson, Oakley-Boothe, Clucas; Ince, Campbell, Powell

We say: Reading 1-1 Stoke City

Stoke have proven hard to beat of late, something Bowen will have to consider when deciding on his tactics for this contest. A draw arguably suits both teams, and we feel that a share of the spoils is the most likely outcome.