Reading FC will be looking to make it three wins on the bounce when they head to Bloomfield Road to face Blackpool on Saturday (3PM Kick-Off).

A great week for the Royals saw them beat Preston North End 3-2 in the final game of Veljko Paunovic’s tenure before earning a 2-1 victory against Birmingham City on Tuesday night in the first match of the Paul Ince era.

Now eight points clear of the relegation zone, Ince and his side have a chance to pull away from danger in the coming weeks.

Team News

It’s not expected that any of Reading’s absent players from Tuesday night will be back for the trip to Blackpool.

Scott Dann is nearing a return but is unlikely to be ready from his hamstring injury just yet while Alen Halilovic is still sidelined with the same ailment. Baba Rahman is facing multiple weeks out after being forced off at Preston while Josh Laurent is recovering from an ankle injury.

Ovie Ejaria is still out with an unknown injury while Femi Azeez, Dejan Tetek, and Felipe Araruna are set for extended periods on the sidelines.

Reading Chronicle: Ovie Ejaria remains absent with some unknown injury. Image by: JasonPIXOvie Ejaria remains absent with some unknown injury. Image by: JasonPIX

Richard Keogh, James Husband, and Keshi Anderson will all miss the weekend’s clash for Blackpool but Marvin Ekpiteta could return after being rested for Wednesday night’s defeat to QPR.

Form Guide

Just over one week ago, Reading couldn’t buy a point, succumbing to eight straight defeats. But two wins and a draw in their last three Championship matches has changed the mood and the complexion of the Royals’ season.

They’re still leaking goals, but with Lucas Joao and John Swift nearing top form they carry a constant threat going forward.

Last Five: WWDLL

After a run of three wins in four to start 2022, Blackpool have struggled for points in recent weeks, losing two and drawing two of their last four.

Last time out they lost 2-1 to ten-man QPR at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium. The West Londonders took a first half lead but it seemed Blackpool would get at least a point when Josh Bowler equalised with eight minutes of normal time remaining. But in the 89th minute, Luke Amos struck to seal the victory for QPR.

Last Five: LDLDW

Last Time Out: Reading 2-3 Blackpool, October 20th, 2021

Coming into the late-autumn fixture with five wins in their last six it seemed Reading were headed for another victory when they raced into a 2-0 first half lead thanks to goals from Scott Dann and Tom Dele-Bashiru.

Reading Chronicle: Reading players react to defeat against Blackpool. Image by: JasonPIXReading players react to defeat against Blackpool. Image by: JasonPIX

But it all fell apart in 16 second half minutes as Jerry Yates struck twice after Owen Dale’s goal to condemn Reading to a 3-2 defeat.

Paunovic’s side went on to win just three of their next 19 games, culminating in the final victory of the Serbian’s reign at Preston.

Predicted Reading XI:

(4-2-3-1)

Karl Hein; Andy Yiadom, Michael Morrison, Tom Holmes, Tom McIntyre; Andy Rinomhota, Danny Drinkwater; Tom Ince, John Swift, Junior Hoilett; Lucas Joao