READING FC have another home test this Saturday against Cardiff City to continue their bid to secure their place in the Championship.
The Royals have picked up form which sees them eight points clear of the relegation zone heading into Saturday’s contest against Cardiff.
Paul Ince’s men are now on the quest to complete the job and ensure that they are playing Championship football next season and face Steve Morison’s Cardiff side at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday.
The team from the Welsh capital have little to play for in their remaining games as they sit in mid table in 17th with no chance of making the play-offs, but also with the security of having a sizeable gap between them and the relegation places.
They suffered a humbling defeat at the weekend at the hands of bitter rivals Swansea City.
Hosting Russell Martin’s side at home, the large home crowd that turned out to watch Cardiff left disappointed after the Swans dispatched four goals past them without reply to earn a comprehensive win which extended their lead over the Bluebirds to five points.
With no midweek game in their schedule, Cardiff have seven games left to play in their campaign.
Prior to their defeat to Swansea, they were in fine form which had seen them win three of their last four league games.
They earned wins over Derby County and Stoke City at home, in between picking up an impressive away victory at Queens Park Rangers and a goalless draw at home to Preston North End.
Cardiff have scored 45 goals in their 39 league matches, which puts them on the exact same figure as Reading before the Royals’ midweek game against Stoke.
They have conceded 60 goals, which is 14 less than the Royals.
Reading already boast one league win over the bluebirds this season, which came in October.
Former Cardiff player, Junior Hoilett, netted the only goal of the game, which was subsequently Reading’s only shot on target in the entire match to gift his side three points.
On their last visit to Berkshire, Cardiff picked up a point in a 1-1 draw at the SCL in April 2021.
There were two late goals on that day after Kieffer Moore gave Cardiff the lead from the penalty spot in the 87th minute only to be pegged back by Yakou Meite’s 94th minute equaliser.
Reading have an impressive record against Cardiff and are unbeaten in their last 12 meetings which stretches back to 2015.