Reading are set to continue their fight for a playoff place in League One when they take on mid-table Lincoln City at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The hosts are sixth in the standings with a three point lead on those below them, while the visitors are destined for a midtable finish in the league.
Match preview
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After suffering relegation from the Championship in 2022-23, Reading experienced an extremely challenging 2023-24 campaign, struggling to a 17th-placed finish in League One.
The Royals have enjoyed a significantly improved 2024-25 season, currently sitting sixth in the League One standings and on course to qualify for the playoffs.
Reading have taken 69 points from their 42 league fixtures, with 19 wins, 12 draws and 11 defeats, leaving them three points clear of seventh-placed Leyton Orient with only four games left to play.
Noel Hunt, who took charge in December 2024 following Ruben Selles's departure to Hull City, has led Reading to a superb run of seven wins, seven draws and only one defeat in their last 15 matches, leaving them in fantastic form going into the final league games.
The Royals do also have favourable fixtures, with all four sides between 11th and 21st in the table, and they will aim to get off to a winning start to their run in when they face Lincoln City on Friday.
The Imps are on track for a midtable finish in League One, as Michael Skubala's side are placed 12th in the table with 55 points, trailing the top six by 14 points and above the drop zone by 13 points.
That will come as a major disappointment for Lincoln City, who would have been aiming for a playoff finish after narrowly missing out by just two points last season, while they were still in the battle for a top six place at the midway point of this campaign.
Skubala's side were placed seventh in the standings after their last meeting with Reading on matchday 21, when they secured a 2-0 victory, but only six victories in the next 21 league outings has caused them to drop significantly down the table.
While the visitors have little left to play for, Skubala will still be looking for his side to end the season on a positive note to build a strong foundation for a playoff push next year.
Lincoln will be aiming to draw confidence from their slight improvement over recent weeks, with only one defeat in their past six games - recording two wins and three draws - while they also have a strong record against Reading, recording one win and two draws in their last three meetings.
Team News
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Reading are enjoying a fantastic run of form heading into this clash, and Hunt may look to maintain that streak by naming a similar starting 11 in this one.
Harvey Knibbs is Reading's top scorer in League One with 14 goals in 39 appearances, and the midfielder will be looked upon to make the difference once again here.
As for Lincoln City, James Collins has been in brilliant goalscoring form since joining the club from Derby County in January - scoring seven goals in 16 league games - and the striker should lead the line on Friday.
Jovon Makama may miss out on Friday's clash due to an injury he sustained against Charlton Athletic, meaning Collins may be partnered by Erik Ring and Joe Gardner in attack.
Reading possible starting lineup:
Pereira; Rushesha, Mbengue, Bindon, Abrefa; Knibbs, Wing, Savage; Campbell, Wareham, Ehibhatiomhan
Lincoln City possible starting lineup:
Wickens; Darikwa, Montsma, Jackson, Roughan; McGrandles, Bayliss; Ring, Hacket-Fairchild, Gardner; Collins
We say: Reading 2-1 Lincoln City
Lincoln City may have secured the 2-0 win in their last meeting, but the hosts have enjoyed a considerably better second half of the season and are favourites to secure the win in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
