Reading are looking to go into the international break on a high as they host Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

Without a home win since Paul Ince’s opening game in charge last month, the side have lost three and won one of their five matches under the former England midfielder.

On Tuesday the side picked up a much- needed point on the road as they held second-placed Bournemouth to a 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium.

Dom Solanke gave the Cherries an eighth minute lead before a Tom Ince stunner levelled the scores with seven minutes remaining.

The draw stopped the rot of three consecutive wins, and was Ince’s first away game in charge in which the side had not conceded four goals.

Visitors Blackburn Rovers sit fourth in the Championship table, five points behind second-place Bournemouth.

With only six more goals scored than the Royals, it is the defence which sets them apart with Reading conceding a league high of 73 compared to the Lancastrian’s 38.

Form

Tony Mowbray’s side came from behind to beat struggling Derby County 3-1 on Tuesday, a first win in three after two defeats and a draw.

Stuttering of late, Rovers sit 19th in form over the last 10 games, with just two wins in that time against the Rams and QPR.

In fact, over the last 10 matches there is only one point between the two sides, with Reading having picked up eight points to Blackburn’s nine.

 

Team News

John Swift and Alen Halilovic are doubts, with Swift yet to resume training up picking up Covid-19. Croat Halilovic played for the Under 23s on Monday night, but Ince said it was still too early for him when quizzed after the draw with Bournemouth.

Lucas Joao is thought to still be struggling after recovering from Covid-19 and is unlikely to play the full match.

Reading Chronicle:

Last Time Out: Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Reading, Saturday October 23

A game in which the Royals never got going, two quickfire goals in the space of three second half minutes put the game beyond doubt.

Sam Gallagher and Tyhrys Dolan each found the net to end Blackburn’s four match winless run.

Reading would win just twice more before manager Veljko Paunvoic lost his job in February.