Reading host Preston North End on Saturday in the first home league game of the Championship season.

Veljko Paunovic will be hoping to lead his side to their first win of the season following two defeats in league and cup action so far this term.

Meanwhile, the Lilywhites picked up their first win in midweek, a 3-0 win over League Two Mansfield Town, in the Carabao Cup to set up a round two meeting with League One outfit Morecombe.

They lost their opening league match convincingly 4-1 to newly-promoted Hull City at Deepdale.

Frankie McAvoy will be looking to make a good impression in his first managerial role following his eight years working alongside fellow Scot Alex Neil.

The Lancashire side has fluctuated in mid-table of the Championship since arriving under Simon Grayson in 2014, finishing 13th last time out.

Team News

The Royals made their first signing of the season on Thursday, loaning in Watford midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru, adding much-needed depth to the squad.

John Swift, Lucas Joao and Ovie Ejaria are all in contention following scares in recent weeks.

For the visitors, Declan Rudd was substituted after 13 minutes of the last match so Leicester City loanee Daniel Iversen may start in goal.

Head to Head

The sides have met 63 times since 1894, with the head to head finely balanced at 25 wins each.

Last season Reading failed to beat Preston, with a 0-3 home defeat and a 0-0 draw. This was the first season that the had Royals failed to beat Saturday’s visitors since 2015/16.

The last home win in this fixture was a 1-0 Reading win in October 2019. Mark Bowen’s first match in charge was won with a last-minute goal from Chelsea loanee Matt Miazga.

Odds

According to Sky Bet at time of writing, Reading are 6/5 to pick up their first win of the season while Preston are 23/10. A draw is also 23/10.