Reading look to return to winning ways, following two straight defeats, with a trip to Yorkshire to face Huddersfield Town at the John Smiths Stadium on Saturday.

After narrow losses to Bristol City and Coventry City, just three points from an available 12 represents a poor return from last season’s 7th placed finish.

Meanwhile the hosts are in good form with just one league defeat in their four matches, a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of league leaders Fulham.

In midweek they lost 2-1 to Premier League Everton in the Carabao Cup.

A 20th placed finish for the Terriers last season is expected to be improved upon this time around, and so far it looks to be an exciting season for Carlos Corberan and his side.

Team News

Defender Tom McIntyre joins the list of long term absentees for Veljko Paunovic following his foot injury sustained in Coventry last weekend.

Forwards Yakou Meite and Lucas Joao are both expected to be out until the New Year while a three month layoff is anticipated for the 22 year-old.

This could pave the way for youngsters Ethan Bristow or Imari Samuels to stake a claim at left-back in McIntyre’s place, although according to rumours the club are working hard to bring in another full back before the deadline next week.

Canada international Junior Hoilett may make his first start in the forward positions after a cameo in the Midlands last time out.

For Huddersfield, full back Pipa and striker Jordan Rhodes are expected to be out for up to three months for groin and back issues respectively.

Main striker Fraizer Campbell has been missing, however has been regaining fitness and will likely play some part on Saturday.

 

Head to Head

The Royals are comfortably ahead in the head to head, winning 26 times against Huddersfield and losing just 16 times in 55 meetings since 1975.

Reading are unbeaten in four matches against the side both home and away, including two consecutive away wins.

Huddersfield’s last win against Reading was the infamous 2017 Championship play-off final in which David Wagner’s side won on penalties at Wembley.

They last beat Reading at their own ground in February 2017, a 1-0 win with a goal from Phillip Billing in the final 10 minutes.

The last time Reading beat Huddersfield at their own ground three consecutive times was a run of three games from 2002, 2013 and 2015, in which they met in Division Two, the Championship and FA Cup.

Odds

According to Sky Bet at the time of writing the hosts are 11/8 for the win, while Reading are 2/1 and a draw at 23/10.