READING FC are back in action for the first time since the World Cup break when they host Coventry City on Saturday.
The Royals picked up a win prior to the four week hiatus with a last gasp winner at Hull City which puts them 13th in the table on 29 points from 21 games.
The Sky Blues are on the same points as Reading and sit one place above them with a much better goal difference and having played two less matches.
Coventry made a torrid start to the season and were sitting in the relegation zone for the first couple of months before a surge in form.
Mark Robins’ had an excellent November which saw them win four consecutive matches to fly up the table.
Taking maximum points in their last four games, Coventry also kept four clean sheets in a row.
They earned 1-0 wins against Blackburn Rovers and Watford before they picked up home wins over Wigan Athletic and QPR.
Guastavo Hamer and Viktor Gyokeres netted late goals to see Coventry take the win over Wigan before a brace from Gyokeres helped the Sky Blues beat QPR.
Coventry have scored two less goals than Reading in the league this season (21), but have kept it tight in defence having conceded just 18 goals which gives them the best defensive record in the
entire division. Meanwhile, Reading have conceded 30 goals so far this season.
Swedish forward Gyokeres has been in fine scoring form once again and is currently joint top scorer in the division, joint with eight other players on nine goals.
Coventry were successful on their last trip to Reading, in February 2022.
On the day where Reading celebrated their 150th anniversary, there wasn’t much to cheer on the pitch in a time where the club endured a toxic atmosphere near the end of Veljko Paunovic’s reign as manager.
In an entertaining contest, Lucas Joao put Reading ahead before goals either side of half-time from Dominic Hyam and Michael Rose put the visitors in front.
Andy Yiadom levelled the game up, but the game turned when Junior Hoilett was sent off.
Ian Maatsen scored in the 65th minute to put Coventry back in front which was enough to take the 3-2 win.
