Preview: Reading vs. Shrewsbury Town

Sports Mole previews Saturday’s League One clash between Reading and Shrewsbury Town, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Reading will have the chance to record a second straight victory when they welcome Shrewsbury Town to the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors, who occupy 19th place in the League One table, will be desperate to bring an end to their four-game winless run.

Match preview
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Reading bounced back from a heavy defeat against Portsmouth to claim a 2-0 victory in Tuesday’s rescheduled home meeting with Port Vale.

Lewis Wing broke the deadlock in the 76th minute, before Harvey Knibbs registered his eighth league goal of the season to wrap up all three points and climb up the table to 16th place.

Having lost just one of their last eight league games, the Royals have managed to establish a six-point gap to the drop zone despite having to contend with a four-point deduction.

Ruben Selles’s side will be relishing the chance to play another home game on Saturday after winning five of their last six matches at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

They have also kept clean sheets in four of those six matches, which has contributed to an overall total of seven home shutouts in League One this season, highlighting one of the key factors behind their success on home turf this season.

While the Royals will be in a confident mood, Shrewsbury will have to pick themselves up following a 1-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic last weekend.

Matt Smith’s second-half effort ultimately proved enough to condemn Shrewsbury to their third loss in their last four home league games.

Having failed to win a league game since the end of January, Paul Hurst’s side head into the weekend in 19th place and three points above the drop zone.

One of the key factors behind their struggles this season has been their lack of cutting edge in the final third, with the Shrews currently the lowest scorers in the division with just 23 goals in 33 matches.

They did at least score three of those goals in November’s reverse fixture against Reading when they fought back from two goals down to record a 3-2 victory.

Reading League One form:

Shrewsbury Town League One form:

Team News
© Reuters

Reading are expected to be without the services of central defender Tom Holmes and left-back Jeriel Dorsett due to injury issues.

Midfielder Charlie Savage could be brought into the starting lineup after featuring as a half-time substitute in midweek.

Sam Smith returned to the starting lineup to play the duration of Tuesday’s win over Port Vale, and the forward is set to retain his place for Saturday’s home meeting.

As for Shrewsbury, defender Tom Flanagan is making progress in his injury recovery, but he will not be ready to feature against the Royals.

Despite seeing his side fall to a narrow defeat last weekend, Hurst is likely to stick with an unchanged lineup for Saturday’s encounter.

Daniel Udoh will continue to lead the line for the visitors, with the striker looking to add to the five league goals this season.

Reading possible starting lineup:
Button; Yiadom, Mbengue, Bindon, Mola; Wing, Savage; Azeez, Knibbs, Ehibhatiomhan; Smith

Shrewsbury Town possible starting lineup:
Marosi; Feeney, Dunkley, Pierre, Benning, Winchester, Hinchy; Bloxham, Bayliss, Shipley; Udoh

We say: Reading 3-1 Shrewsbury Town
With Shrewsbury currently experiencing a poor run of form, we think Reading will showcase their strength on home turf to claim all three points and extend their unbeaten home run to eight matches.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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