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

Reading will be looking to end a run of three straight Championship defeats when they make the trip to the Den on Tuesday evening to take on Millwall.

The visitors have lost their last three in the league to drop down into 16th position in the table, while Millwall occupy 12th, having picked up 21 points from their opening 15 matches of the 2021-22 campaign.

Match preview

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Millwall have won five, drawn six and lost four of their 15 Championship matches this season to sit 12th in the table, just three points behind sixth-placed Blackpool on the same number of games.

Gary Rowett's side, who finished 11th in the second tier last season, will enter Tuesday's contest off the back of a 1-0 defeat at Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon, with Jonathan Hogg scoring late to win it.

The Lions have been on an impressive run of form in the league, though, winning four of their last six, including back-to-back successes over Sheffield United and Stoke City on October 19 and October 23 respectively.

Millwall now have back-to-back home games against Reading and Derby County ahead of a trip to Middlesbrough after the international break, while they will also face league leaders Bournemouth on November 24.

The Lions have only lost one of their last five Championship games against Reading and recorded a 2-1 victory when the two teams last locked horns back in February.

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Reading, meanwhile, will enter Tuesday's clash off the back of a 2-0 home defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday, with Dominic Solanke and Jamal Lowe registering for the Cherries in Berkshire.

There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a difficult period for the Veljko Paunovic's side, who have lost their last three in the league to Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers and Bournemouth to drop down the table.

A record of six wins, one draw and eight defeats has seen them collect 19 points, which has left them in 16th position, 10 points clear of the relegation zone and just five points off the top six.

Bournemouth look capable of pulling clear at the top of the division, but it is a very congested table at the moment, and a couple of positive results would propel Reading into a much healthier position.

The Royals, as mentioned, lost their last game against Millwall back in February, but the two teams played out a 1-1 draw in the corresponding match at the Den last term.

Team News

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Millwall will again be without the services of George Evans through injury, but the home side are otherwise in good shape, with Mason Bennett back on the bench against Huddersfield.

Head coach Rowett is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack for Tuesday's fixture, but Maikel Kieftenbeld could come into the side in place of Sheyi Ojo.

Benik Afobe is an option in the final third of the field, but Tom Bradshaw should keep his spot, with Jed Wallace also featuring in a forward area for the home side.

As for Reading, Alen Halilovic, Junior Hoilett, Michael Morrison, Andy Rinomhota, Tom McIntyre, Yakou Meite and Lucas Joao will all miss the contest through injury.

The Royals did not pick up any fresh problems against Bournemouth, though, and it would not be a surprise to see the same XI sent onto the field despite the two-goal loss.

George Puscas should retain his spot in the final third despite competition from Jahmari Clarke, who appeared as a late substitute in Saturday's contest with the Cherries.

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Bialkowski; Ballard, Hutchinson, Cooper; Leonard, Saville, Mitchell, Malone; Wallace, Bradshaw, Kieftenbeld

Reading possible starting lineup:
Southwood; Yiadom, Moore, Dann, Baba; Dele-Bashiru, Drinkwater, Laurent, Ejaria; Swift; Puscas

We say: Millwall 2-1 Reading

This is a difficult match to call, with both sides possessing quality all over the pitch. Reading's injury problems are really hurting them at the moment, though, and we are expecting Millwall to return to winning ways in front of their own supporters on Tuesday night.