Reading vs Millwall Prediction: The away side are favourites going into the game

On Saturday afternoon in the Championship, Reading will try to break their streak of three consecutive defeats as they host Millwall at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Reading's season has been fading into mediocrity in the middle of the table due to a recent poor run of form, while Millwall, despite their loss in the previous game, is competing fiercely for a playoff spot.

Reading’s Form

Ahead of their upcoming game against the Lions, Reading has lost three out of their last four Championship fixtures, dashing any hopes of making a late push for the playoffs. The most recent defeat, a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium, was the lowest point in their recent run of games, with Chuba Akpom, Aaron Ramsey, and Marcus Forss all scoring braces. While Reading has struggled away from home this season, earning only 11 points from 18 Championship games, the defeat to Middlesbrough was their worst away loss so far, although a 4-0 defeat to newly-promoted Rotherham United in August was also a setback. Despite producing more shots than Sheffield United in their recent game, Reading lost to a goal by Iliman Ndiaye and remain in 15th place in the league standings with a 12-point lead over the bottom three. It would take a significant collapse or possible points deduction to see Reading get pulled into a relegation battle, a situation that many had predicted for them before the season began. Ince's men face their second home match in five days after their narrow defeat to promotion-chasing Sheffield United on Tuesday.

Reading’s possible starting lineup

Joao, Carroll, Azeez, McIntyre, Hendrick, Ince, Yiadom, Sarr, Dann, Holmes and Lumley

Millwall’s Form

Despite losing their last Championship fixture, Millwall, who will be playing against their opponents on Saturday, have a lot to gain this season, according to Gary Rowett. The recent 3-2 defeat to Norwich City could be a turning point in the race for the playoffs, as it allowed the Canaries to take sixth place from Millwall with just 11 games left to play. However, Rowett's team is in good form, having lost only twice in their last nine games, which gives them a chance to compete at the top of the league. With only one point separating them from the top six, the Lions are within striking distance of the playoffs as the season nears its end. Their upcoming matches against Reading, Swansea City, and Huddersfield Town before the international break present an opportunity for them to move up the table. Millwall will be keen to avoid a second defeat of the campaign against Reading, who secured a rare away victory with Naby Sarr's first-half strike at The Den in August.

Millwall’s predicted lineup

Bradshaw, Honeyman, Flemming, Burke, Saville, Leonard, Wallace, Cooper, Cresswell, McNamara and Long

Reading vs Millwall expert tips

The news that Reading could face a six-point deduction seems to have diverted the attention of their players, and it's not ideal to have any distractions when facing a strong Millwall team. Despite a loss to Norwich, Millwall showed determination and is expected to get back to winning form in their upcoming match in Berkshire. With the playoff race heating up, it's predicted that Millwall will come out on top, and the game will likely see less than 2.5 goals scored.