Tuesday's hosts under the microscope
The run-in continues with the games coming thick and fast, and next up is a long trip to the North West to take on Blackpool on Tuesday evening.
Saturday's win against Peterborough United got the final stretch of the season off to a good start, but a stern test awaits when the Royals go toe-to-toe with Steve Bruce's Tangerines in Sky Bet League One.
In the build up to kick off, we've profiled our hosts for the evening in the Opposition Report, read on for full details.
FORM
Blackpool go into Tuesday's match with a run of four wins from their last five league games, the only blotch on their copybook being a 2-1 home loss to Leyton Orient earlier in March. Last time out they took all three points in a 2-1 home win against Bolton Wanderers.
A tough team to beat, the Tangerines have lost just three league games since the start of December, but sit in 10th place having drawn 15 of their 39 league games to date.
The hosts sit in 15th place in the home form table with 26 points from 19 games, with the Royals looking to seal a first league win at Bloomfield Road since August 2001.
ONE TO WATCH - ASHLEY FLETCHER
Fletcher spent his early years in the Academy setups of both Bolton Wanderers and Manchester United, signing his first professional contract with the Red Devils in 2014.
During his time at Old Trafford he had a loan spell at Barnsley, before signing for a season at West Ham United in 2016/17, making 16 Premier League appearances for the Hammers. A move to Middlesbrough followed in 2017, where he would score 19 goals in 92 league matches in Teeside.
He signed permanently for Watford in 2021, but would make just three league appearances for the Hornets, with game time coming on loan at New York Red Bulls, Wigan Athletic and Sheffield Wednesday, before signing for Blackpool last summer.
The striker has found his form in recents weeks, with six goals and one assist from his last nine league games. In all competitions he has 11 goals and four assists for the Tangerines.
THE GAFFER - STEVE BRUCE
Blackpool boss Bruce has no less than 13 clubs on his CV since taking the reigns at Sheffield United in 1998. A veteran Manager in both the EFL and Premier League, the former defender was quick to migrate from the pitch to the dugout following his retirement.
Bruce boasts a CV with various honours, at Birmingham City he achieved two promotions to the Premier League in 2001/02 and 2006/07. He would repeat the feat with Hull City in 2012/13 and 2015/16, whilst also taking his side to the FA Cup Final in 2014.
A popular and well respected man in the game, Bruce has trodden the unenviable path of managing both Sheffield sides, Birmingham City & Aston Villa, and Sunderland and Newcastle United!
FROM THE VAULT
Reading's last victory against Blackpool came on the final day of last season, with goals from Sam Smith, Harvey Knibbs and Femi Azeez securing a 3-2 victory for the Royals.
The Seasiders had taken the lead in their hunt to secure a Play-Off spot, but three goals from the Royals before a late consolation put pay to that aspiration.
You can relive the full highlights above.
Head to Head
Two meetings between the sides to date, and two victories for the Royals.
- Reading wins - 20
- Draws - 12
- Blackpool wins - 17
Match Officials
- Referee - Aaron Bannister
- Assistant Referee 1 - Thomas Cooke
- Assistant Referee 2 - Emmanuel Edet
- Fourth Official - Simon Mather