Championship side Reading welcome Premier League surprise package Sheffield United to the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday for their fifth round FA Cup clash.
Reading have lost their previous four meetings with Sheff Utd in all competitions, so the Royals will be eager to buck that trend when Chris Wilder’s men come to town.
Reading entered the FA Cup in the third round this season and have needed replays in both of their ties to reach this stage.
First up, Mark Bowen’s side were held to a 2-2 draw by League One club Blackpool before winning the replay 2-0 at Bloomfield Road.
Reading then edged past fellow second-tier side Cardiff on penalties following an epic encounter that finished 3-3 after extra time. The first game had ended 1-1.
The Royals have slipped to 16th in the Championship table after only managing to win two of their last eleven league games.
Bowen’s men won four straight games during the festive period, but a string of poor results has left Reading perched just eight points above the relegation zone.
It’s fair to say that Sheff Utd have enjoyed a much more favourable route to the fifth round. The Blades saw off non-league Fylde before cruising past Millwall in the previous round.
Wilders’ side come into this game having lost just one of their last six league games, while recent victories over Crystal Palace and Bournemouth have kept the club in contention for a European spot.
Ready for Tuesday 🏆 pic.twitter.com/pVvwAwqZYf— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) March 1, 2020
Ready for Tuesday 🏆 pic.twitter.com/pVvwAwqZYf
Sheff Utd currently sit 8th in the Premier League, but the Blades could jump into 5th – above Tottenham, Wolves and Manchester United – if they win their game in hand.
Remarkably, only league leaders Liverpool boast a better defensive record than Sheff Utd in the Premier League this season.
It’s worth mentioning that the Blades have won 13 of their last 14 FA Cup games against teams from a lower division.
Meanwhile, Reading have lost six of their previous seven games in this competition against Premier League opponents.
Looking at the team news, Reading’s injury list is vast. Matt Miazga, Tom McIntyre, Jordan Obita, Chris Gunter, Lucas Joao and Lucas Boye are all doubts for Tuesday’s match.
On the other hand, Enda Stevens is Sheff Utd’s only injury concern. The defender was taken off in their previous game, but he could be fit to play this week.
Reading’s home advantage should give them a slight edge, but Sheff Utd’s top-flight quality is likely to shine through.
Forebet predicts that Sheffield United will edge past Reading by a single goal. A clean sheet is also expected for the away side.