The Royals host Sheffield United in the Championship on this evening.

Here is everything you need to know.

Form

Despite improvement in previous weeks for Paul Ince’s side, the Royals fell to a humiliating 5-0 defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough last time out.

Chuba Akpom and Aaron Ramsey both bagged a brace for the Boro, whilst Marcus Forss finished from the spot to secure all three points for high-flying Middlesbrough.

It comes after a convincing 3-1 victory for Reading against Blackpool prior to last weeks game, where Tom Ince scored a brace and Andy Carroll scored a pen for the Royals in what looked like changing fortunes for Ince’s side.

However, last week’s heavy defeat puts pressure back on the Reading boss to find results in the next few weeks, and it does not come much more difficult than second place Sheffield United.

The Blades have had a brilliant season so far, with 64 points from 34 games and have lost just five away games all season.

However, Paul Heckingbottom’s side have struggled in recent games and lost 1-0 to Blackburn Rovers last time out, giving an opportunity to those below them a chance to close the gap to the automatic promotion places.

Team News

Paul Ince has stated that there will not be many changes to the line-up that faced Middlesbrough last time out at the Riverside Stadium.

Shane Long could be a doubt tonight after rolling his ankle in Reading’s last game, whilst Liam Moore is expected to miss out, although the former captain is back in training.

Tom Holmes and Lucas Joao both came off the bench against Boro and could be involved again tonight.

Last Time Out: Sheffield United 4-0 Reading; Tuesday 30 August 2022

Anel Ahmedhodzic’s brace in the reverse fixture helped the Blades on their way to a 4-0 thrashing of Reading in August.

Oli McBurnie and Iliman Ndiaye also got on the scoresheet to ensure Sheffield United claimed all three points at Bramall Lane.