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

Millwall will be targeting a fifth consecutive win when they travel to Reading in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions are up to 11th following their good form, while the Royals continue to battle relegation in 21st.

Match preview

© Reuters

Millwall are on their best run of form for nearly four years and are aiming to win five successive games for the first time since April 2012.

Jake Cooper's header just after the hour mark gave the Lions a 1-0 win over Sheffield United last weekend to move them to within five points of the playoffs.

After their trip to Berkshire, Gary Rowett's side face three consecutive games against teams currently in the top eight, so continuing their momentum this weekend will be crucial.

However, Millwall have only won four of their 16 away matches in the Championship this season – only five clubs in the division have won fewer on the road.

The Lions are unbeaten in their last four matches against Reading, with Benik Afobe securing a 1-0 win over the Royals at The Den in November.

© Reuters

In beating Birmingham City in their last game at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading won at home for the first time in 11 attempts.

It was interim boss Paul Ince's first match in charge and it was followed by a 4-1 defeat away at Blackpool last weekend that brought the Royals back down to earth.

Reading are currently six points above the relegation zone having played a game more than 22nd-place Barnsley, so there remains plenty of work for Ince left to do.

This is the first of four games in a row they will play against top half sides, so the Royals could easily get dragged right back into trouble over the next few weeks.

Reading have the worst defence in the Championship having conceded 67 goals in 34 games, but they are also the second-highest scorers in the bottom half.

Team News

© Reuters

Reading centre-back pair Scott Dann and Tom Holmes are in contention to feature after recent injuries but may only make the bench.

Holmes is more likely to start, given that midfielder Andy Rinomhota was forced to play out of position at right-back last weekend.

Josh Laurent is still a couple of weeks away from a return, while goalkeeper Karl Hein could be out for the season after suffering a thumb injury at home.

Millwall will be without Mason Bennett and Shaun Hutchinson after the pair were both forced off with injuries against Sheffield United last weekend.

They join a lengthy injury list for the Lions with Maikel Kieftenbeld, Sheyi Ojo, Tom Bradshaw, Ryan Leonard, Oliver Burke and Luke Freeman all sidelined too.

There is better news regarding Benik Afobe though, as the striker should be fit to return following a hamstring problem.

Reading possible starting lineup:
Southwood; Yiadom, Morrison, Holmes, McIntyre; Rinomhota, Drinkwater; Meite, Swift, Ince; Joao

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Bialkowski; Ballard, M. Wallace, Cooper; McNamara, Saville, Mitchell, Malone; J. Wallace; Burey, Afobe

We say: Reading 1-1 Millwall

A full week on the training ground will have allowed Paul Ince to get his ideas across at Reading and the Royals could nick a point against Millwall, whose lengthy injury list might just catch up with them despite their imperious form.

Previews by email