After reaching the FA Cup semi-finals for the second time in their history last year, Championship outfit Reading are just two wins away from doing so again this season.
Standing in their way in the fifth round tomorrow are a Premier League side in West Bromwich Albion, who would have been happy to avoid the several big names still in the draw.
Reading
© Getty ImagesThe Royals eventually lost out to eventual winners Arsenal in extra time at Wembley last year after getting kind draw after kind draw, and again this year they have been somewhat fortunate to have got a pair of home ties against sides below them in the Football League standings.
Nine goals have been scored in the wins over Huddersfield Town and Walsall, but the Royals have not won in the league since that fourth-round success over the Saddlers.
It looks like the FA Cup could again bring some excitement for the supporters as it did last year, with Reading managing just three league wins since the middle of October to lie 15th in the table, two points closer to the relegation zone than the playoff places.
The Royals' only goal since the 4-0 win over Walsall in the fourth round was a penalty in the 2-1 defeat at Ipswich Town and two goalless draws at home have followed, but Brian McDermott's side have been scoring for fun in the Cup and five of their nine goals in the third and fourth rounds were scored by Matej Vydra.
Off the field, there was news of a contract extension this week, with Chris Gunter signing a new deal with the Royals.
Recent form: WDWLDD
West Brom
© Getty ImagesThe Baggies were not fancied to do much last weekend away at an Everton side that had recorded three straight 3-0 wins, but they left Goodison Park with the points and a clean sheet thanks to Salomon Rondon's tap-in early on.
It ended a run of five Premier League games without a win and saw Tony Pulis's side edge eight points clear of the bottom three.
Not so great in the league of late, then, and West Brom have hardly made the most of winnable home draws in the FA Cup so far, needing replays to get past both Bristol City and Peterborough United.
The last time they lost against a lower-league team was ironically when they played at Reading five years ago, going unbeaten in seven FA Cup games against lower-league opposition since.
One Baggies player who enjoys this competition is Saido Berahino. The England striker has scored eight goals and assisted four more in his last seven FA Cup games.
There was also a new contract agreed at The Hawthorns this week, with ever-present defender Craig Dawson committing until 2018.
Recent form: DDDLWW
Team News
© Getty ImagesAs mentioned, former West Brom man Vydra has been in superb form so far in the competition, but both he and midfielder Danny Williams face late fitness tests on hamstring problems.
Yann Kermorgant and George Evans are both cup-tied and the former's absence could see Deniss Rakels get a first start for the Royals up front.
West Brom defender Gareth McAuley is closing in on a return from a hamstring injury but will not be fit in time, while James Morrison and Callum McManaman are still sidelined with hamstring and ankle injuries respectively.
Pulis has the pick of his strikers to play up front, with Berahino, Rondon, Rickie Lambert and Victor Anichebe all fit.
Reading possible starting lineup:
Al-Habsi; Gunter, McShane, Cooper, Obita; Norwood, Hector; Robson-Kanu, Piazon, Quinn; Rakels
West Brom possible starting lineup:
Myhill; Dawson, Chester, Evans, Pocognoli; Sessegnon, Yacob, Pritchard, McClean; Berahino, Anichebe
Head To Head
Reading have won the last three FA Cup ties between the teams, two of which have gone to replays and extra time.
West Brom also have not won at Reading, in all competitions, since January 1995 (D4, L6).
The Dugout Podcast
Hit play below to listen to Sports Mole's new podcast 'The Dugout' for our take on the week's biggest football talking points:
We say: Reading 1-3 West Brom
The win at Everton last week eased some of West Brom's relegation worries and they should be too strong for a Reading team in a stale run of form in the Championship.
