Both to miss out at Madejski
Reading v Birmingham
Rejuvenated Reading take on Birmingham on Sunday afternoon in a make-or-break final game where a win for either side could see them return to the Premiership at the first attempt.
A victory for the Royals coupled with Sheffield United failing to win at Crystal Palace will see them pip their opponents to the second automatic promotion spot.
Consecutive 2-0 wins on the road have turned the fortunes of Steve Coppell’s side who will be confident of taking all three points despite the worrying fact that they haven’t won at home since January.
Shane Long’s second-half double was enough to condemn Norwich to defeat at Carrow Road on Monday night and left the Canaries staring relegation in the face.
Winger Glen Little picked up a hamstring injury during the first half on Monday and is out of Sunday’s clash.
He is likely to be replaced by Stephen Hunt, while Jay Tabb could make a welcome return after missing out at Carrow Road with a virus.
After play-off chasing Preston denied them promotion last weekend, Birmingham can confirm their place in the top flight with a win at the Madejski.
Keith Fahey had put the Blues ahead before the Lilywhites hit back in style with stunning strikes from Paul McKenna and Ross Wallace.
City have only won two of their last six games and will have to improve on their poor record of just two away wins this year if they are to secure their return to the Premiership.
Lee Carsley is set to fill in for the suspended Lee Bowyer after the midfielder failed to overturn his red card for head-butting Preston’s Lee Williamson.
Blues manager Alex McLeish will be boosted by the availability of Seb Larsson after he overcame the shoulder injury that forced him off at St Andrew’s last weekend.
In what is certain to be a nerve-wracking afternoon at the Madejski, injury-hit Birmingham may struggle to find the elusive win to guarantee automatic promotion.
Verdict: Reading 1–1 Birmingham