West Brom will be looking forward to increasing their advantage at the top of the Championship table when they travel to Reading. Slaven Bilic men have opened a four-point lead over second-placed Leeds United after their 2-0 win over Millwall last weekend.
West Brom was cruising in the early stage of the season before a poor run of form post-Christmas starts to put their automatic promotion to the Premier League in danger. But they have since won their last two matches, and they will want to make it 3 when they face Reading.
Reading, on the other hand, have stayed away from regulation but they are not safe and they will want to put on a good performance so as to avoid the danger of being demoted to the third tier of English football, League one.
Reading have struggled in front of goal this season, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t trying, with John Swift, in particular, doing his best to breach opposition defences.
The 24-year-old has been Reading’s standout player, more than capable in attack but also willing to put himself out defensively. Swift’s five goals in the Championship is only bettered among Reading’s squad by George Puscas, but his best contribution comes with assists.
West Brom have been very prolific, they have scored 55 goals this season, the most in the Championship.
Matheus Pereira has been a regular feature in West Brom’s midfield this season, missing just two league games since his debut in August, contributing with both goals and assists. Pereira has scored five goals so far in the Championship, a respectable amount for someone who has been utilised across the midfield.
West Brom will be without Kieran Gibbs, the former Arsenal player has had injury issues this season and has been able to make only 10 appearances in the Championship for the Baggies, scoring one goal and providing one assist in the process.