MX23RW : Sunday, July 5 06:24:17| >> :120:29799:29799:
Jun 30, 2020 at 6pm UK at Madejski Stadium
ReadingReading
0-3
BrentfordBrentford
FT(HT: 0-1)
Mbeumo (23'), Dasilva (64'), Valencia (90')
Jansson (67')

Preview: Reading vs. Brentford - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Championship fixture between Reading and Brentford, including team news and predicted lineups.

Brentford make the trip to the Madejski Stadium to face Reading with the opportunity to move to within two points of second-placed West Bromwich Albion.

Meanwhile, after failing to win either of their last two games, Reading play host the Bees on Tuesday evening only sitting seven points above the Championship relegation zone.


Match preview

Brentford manager Thomas Frank on January 11, 2020© Reuters

Having recorded just four points from four games before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Thomas Frank may have felt that his side had little chance of achieving automatic promotion to the Premier League.

However, back-to-back triumphs over rivals Fulham and West Bromwich Albion have left Brentford in a position where they have considerable momentum at a crucial period of the season.

Playing a day earlier than West Brom provides Brentford with the chance to move to within touching distance of second spot, a position which at one stage appeared guaranteed to remain in the grasp of the Baggies and Leeds United.

With a favourable schedule, everything is in place for the London outfit to end the campaign on a high, something which will be achieved more easily if Ollie Watkins can build on his goal versus the Baggies.

That strike ended a three-game wait for his 23rd goal at the second tier since the beginning of August and reaching 30 - last achieved by Glenn Murray in 2012-13 - may prove pivotal when it comes to gatecrashing the top two.

Despite sitting in mid-table over the enforced break, Mark Bowen would have felt that Reading remained with an outside shout of claiming the final playoff spot.

However, failing to defeat either Stoke City or Derby County has left the Royals 11 points adrift of Cardiff City, realistically putting the club in a position where they will have to win each of their last seven games just to remain in contention.

Instead, Bowen will now be placing priority on avoiding being dragged into a relegation battle with the Berkshire outfit now only seven points above 22nd place.

Although two more wins should prove more than enough, Reading still face four fixtures against clubs below them, a scenario which will ensure that they remain under pressure until mathematically ensuring that they cannot drop down to League One.

Reading Championship form: LLWWDL

Brentford Championship form: DLDWWW


Team News

Reading defender Matt Miazga pictured in November 2019© Reuters

After his dismissal on the full-time whistle against Derby, Reading centre-back Matt Miazga will serve the first of his three-match suspension.

Sam Baldock could get the nod in attack over George Puscas, who has failed to impress in both games since the resumption.

With an extra day of preparation, Brentford boss Frank will keep changes down to a minimum.

Having been introduced as a substitute on his first game back after testing positive for coronavirus, Bryan Mbeumo should feature on the right flank.

Reading possible starting lineup:
Cabral; Gunter, Moore, Morrison, Richards; Swift, Rinomhota; Meite, Olise, Ejaria; Baldock

Brentford possible starting lineup:
Martin; Dalsgaard, Pinnock, Jansson, Henry; Marcondes, Norgaard, Dasilva; Mbeumo, Watkins, Benrahma


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Reading 1-3 Brentford

Although Reading are under pressure to respond from the weekend's setback, we feel that Brentford will continue their promotion charge. While the home side have the potential to make things competitive, Brentford's attack should have too much for a backline missing one of its key figures.


ID:404186:

Who will win Tuesday's Championship clash between Reading and Brentford?

Reading
Draw
Brentford
Reading
9.5%
Draw
11.1%
Brentford
79.4%
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Brentford manager Thomas Frank on January 11, 2020
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds41239963342978
2West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom402014667382974
3Brentford412191173334072
4Fulham4120101155441170
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest411814954411368
6Cardiff CityCardiff41161695851764
7Derby CountyDerby411613125653361
8Millwall411417104844459
9Preston North EndPreston411610155250258
10Swansea CitySwansea401415115047357
11Blackburn RoversBlackburn411511155653356
12Bristol City411510165360-755
13Reading411410175348552
14Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds401410164954-552
15Queens Park RangersQPR40148185966-750
16Wigan AthleticWigan411311174553-850
17Birmingham CityBirmingham411213165164-1349
18Stoke CityStoke41137215461-746
19Charlton AthleticCharlton411210194655-946
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield411210194963-1446
21Hull City40129195468-1445
22Middlesbrough401014164052-1244
23Barnsley411011204566-2141
24Luton TownLuton41117234678-3240

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