Reading look to make it four consecutive wins for the first time in almost a year as they travel to bottom club Derby County on Wednesday.

Four straight wins at the start of the 2020/21 campaign set Reading on course for a rollercoaster of a season which would ultimately end just outside the play-offs. A fourth win on the bounce at Pride Park would see Veljko Paunovic’s side sit outside the top six on goal difference.

Wins over Peterborough United; Fulham and Middlesbrough, preceded by a 3-3 draw with QPR have seen the Royals unexpectedly rise into the play-off picture, however how long for depends upon the rumoured point deduction for breaking Profit and Sustainability regulations.

For the hosts it has been a difficult few weeks, with the Rams being plunged into administration and dropping to the foot of the table on -2 points after a 12 point deduction. Worse could yet come with the club reported to be receiving another deduction for similar misdemeanours to Reading.

Last time out, 10-man Derby put up a valiant display to newly relegated Sheffield United, however a last minute Billy Sharp goal condemned Wayne Rooney’s side to a sixth game without a win.

Team News

The Midlanders’ will be without goalkeeper Kelle Roos after his red card on Saturday, meaning Ryan Allsopp is in line to make his league debut for the side.

Long term absentees include striker Colin Kazim-Richards and midfielder Krystian Bielik.

Reading’s injury list remains one of the longest in the league, and it is not getting shorter any time soon.

Both Junior Hoilett and Dejan Tetek limped off during Saturday’s win over Boro, however both should still be available.

Central defender Scott Dann edges nearer to fitness after joining in the summer, but Wednesday is likely to be too soon for a run out, leaving Paunovic with no fit centre-backs for a second game.

Head to Head

Last season Reading did the league double over Derby, winning 2-0 on the opening day of the season and 3-1 at the SCL Stadium in the back end of the season.

Reading have not won three straight games against Derby since May 2011, and have not won consecutive league games at Pride Park since the 2011/12 and 2013/14 campaigns, split by a season in the Premier League for Brian McDermott’s men.

However statistically Reading have the best win percentage away to Derby than against any other team in the Championship this season, winning 42% of the 26 meetings in the East Midlands.

 

Odds

According to Sky Bet, Reading are 5/2 for the win, whilst Derby are 23/20 and 9/4 for a draw.