A bumper crowd is in town as the Royals host Blackpool in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

Here is everything you need to know.

Form

Despite a brilliant comeback against Rotherham United in midweek, the Royals could not follow this up with a positive result against Cardiff City in the Friday night football last week.

Romaine Sawyers scored a last-minute winner in South Wales to drag the Bluebirds away from the relegation zone.

It also shows that problems remain for Paul Ince’s side. The Rotherham win two games ago was their only league victory in 2023 so far, with Reading’s last away win in November.

A defeat against a struggling Cardiff City side will not give confidence to Royals fans ahead of a game against another relegation battling side.

Blackpool sit in 23rd place and have won just once in the league since October and are in need of points to retain their Championship status.

However, Blackpool have been better on the road than at Bloomfield Road this season which may give Tangerine fans some hope at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Team News

Tom Ince is set to return to the starting eleven after being on the bench against Cardiff City last Friday.

Baba Rahman is set to miss out after picking up an injury against Rotherham, although Shane Long could return against the Tangerines.

Tom Holmes is also set to miss out with the defender still suffering from a calf knock with Lucas Joao still also out of the side.  

Last Time Out: Blackpool 1-0 Reading; Saturday 30 July 2022

The Royals suffered an opening day defeat at the hands of the Seasiders in the reverse fixture.

Callum Connolly’s early first half goal was enough to give Blackpool all three points at Bloomfield Road.