Reading FC travel to Preston North End on Saturday (3PM Kick Off) searching for their first win of 2022 after a wretched start to the new year. 

The Royals claimed their first point since January 3rd on Wednesday night when they drew 0-0 with relegation rivals Peterborough United.

Veljko Paunovic’s side sit just two points clear of the drop-zone and with Peterborough facing Derby County this weekend, Reading could desperately use a win.

Team News

Yakou Meite returned to Reading’s starting XI for the first time since suffering an ACL tear in the summer, making it through 82 minutes at London Road unscathed. Tom McIntyre is also getting closer and closer to his own return after finding himself on the bench at Peterborough.

Reading Chronicle: Yakou Meite takes to the pitch at Peterborough. Image by: JasonPIXYakou Meite takes to the pitch at Peterborough. Image by: JasonPIX

Junior Hoilett will be back in contention after serving his one-match ban for his sending off against Coventry City while there’s hope that Josh Laurent - who missed Wednesday night’s stalemate with an ankle injury - will be fit in time for the trip to Preston.

Scott Dann and Alen Halilovic remain sidelined with hamstring injuries while long-term absentees Femi Azeez, Dejan Tetek, and Felipe Araruna are not thought to be close to making it back.

New signing Brandon Barker should be eligible to play on Saturday after not being registered in time to face Peterborough.

Josh Murphy, Greg Cunningham, Sean Maguire and Tom Barkhuizen are all nearing fitness for Preston but Saturday’s clash with Reading should come too soon for the quartet.

Form Guide

While Reading finally ended their shocking losing run on Wednesday, their streak without victory stretched to 11 Championship games and 12 in all competitions.

Since their last victory - away at Swansea City in late November - Reading have picked up just three points to leave them well within danger of going down to League One.

Last Five: DLLLL

Preston have been in excellent form since the appointment of manager Ryan Lowe in early December, losing just one of their last 11 Championship fixtures. In that time they’ve won five times while keeping five clean sheets.

Over the course of their last five matches, Preston have earned nine out of a possible 15 points while conceding just two goals.

Last time out they beat Peterborough 1-0 thanks to Aston Villa loanee Cameron Archer’s 80th minute strike.

Last Five: WDWDD

Last Time Out: Reading 2-1 Preston, August 14th 2021

When these two sides met in the second game of the season, Paunovic’s side claimed their first win of the campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Reading Chronicle: Femi Azeez celebrates his goal against Preston. Image by: JasonPIXFemi Azeez celebrates his goal against Preston. Image by: JasonPIX

Femi Azeez opened the scoring in the 28th minute before Reading were pegged back just after the hour mark when Daniel Johnson equalised from the penalty spot.

But parity lasted just eight minutes until John Swift finished a beautiful move of quick passing to regain Reading’s advantage and carry the Royals to their first points of the season.

Predicted Reading XI:

(4-2-3-1)

Karl Hein; Andy Yiadon, Michael Morrison, Tom Holmes, Baba Rahman; Josh Laurent, Andy Rinomhota; Tom Ince, John Swift, Junior Hoilett; Lucas Joao