After Saturday’s triumph away at Birmingham City, Reading have just nine fixtures remaining in the Championship this season.

When former manager Jose Gomes was dismissed in October, Reading were sat languishing in 22nd place having won just two games at the beginning of the season against Cardiff City and Huddersfield.

Now, following consecutive league victories, Reading find themselves in 14th spot – eight points behind sixth placed Preston North End and nine points above 22nd placed Charlton Athletic.

How high could Reading finish? Well, we’re going to have a go at predicting the final nine fixtures – based on the opening 37 - and see how it could the results could affect the final league standings.

STOKE CITY (H) – Draw

Stoke City visit the Madejski on Saturday on the back of a fantastic 5-1 victory over Hull City.

Even though The Tigers have been on a dismal run of form following the sale of Jarrod Bowen and Kamil Grosicki, that result would’ve been a massive boost for The Potters as they attempt to pull clear of the bottom three.

With Stoke likely to have a spring in their step and plenty to play for, I can see Saturday’s game ending level.

DERBY COUNTY (A) – Draw

The Rams last lost at home on December 14, falling to a 1-0 defeat against Millwall.

Although Reading beat Cocu’s men 3-0 at the Madejski the following week, Derby were reduced to ten men in the fourth minute.

With Reading’s impressive away record under Mark Bowen and Derby’s solid home record, I also think this one may well finish all square.

BRENTFORD (H) – Loss

Thomas Frank’s men may have gotten over a small blip in their promotion charge – having thrashed Sheffield Wednesday 5-1 on Saturday.

It was the first time that The Bees had picked up all three points since February 8. With teams below them faltering however, Brentford still sit in fourth spot.

With Fulham and West Brom coming up in their next two, the results in those games may play a massive part in their mindset at the Madejski.

With Brentford pushing hard to consolidate their play-off spot, they may well have too much for Reading – I think this could end up being a narrow defeat.

LUTON TOWN (A) – Win

The Hatters are currently six points from safety in their first season back in the second tier, but they have picked up 15 more points at home than on their travels.

Even so, I still think Reading should have too much for Luton at Kenilworth Road.

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN (H) – Win

Currently, Huddersfield are only three points clear of Charlton in the drop zone and have only managed to beat Hull City and Charlton away from home since beating Brentford at Griffin Park in November.

Both sides have been struggling for form this year and neither result would’ve come as much of a surprise.

I think Reading will triumph over Huddersfield at the Mad Stad given the Yorkshire outfit’s less than convincing away record.

CHARLTON ATHLETIC (A) – Win

The South London side are currently embroiled in a seemingly never-ending series of off the field issues which have left a cloud lurking over The Valley.

Currently in the bottom three and in turmoil off the pitch, it’s hard to tell what situation Charlton will be in when Reading travel to the capital next month.

If the situation isn’t resolved quickly at Charlton, I think it’ll be a victory for Mark Bowen’s men in the midst of a toxic atmosphere at The Valley.

MIDDLESBROUGH (H) – Draw

Packed with quality players in the squad, it’s a surprise to see Boro languishing close to the relegation zone at this point in the campaign.

The Teeside club should have enough in their locker to escape from danger (on paper, that is.)

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the side turning a corner and surviving especially if the squad begin to show what it is capable of.

I think this will be a draw.

BLACKBURN ROVERS (A) – Loss

Since losing to Charlton at home on the opening day and to Luton Town in late September, Rovers have only lost once since at Ewood Park – against Fulham.

Rovers remain very much in the play-off picture at this point and their strong home form suggests they may well push for a top six berth until the last game of the season.

Should this be the case, I can picture them picking up all three points on Reading’s last away trip of the season.

SWANSEA CITY (H) – Draw

Swansea have been the draw specialists away from home this season, with more on their travels than any other Championship side.

This is a tough one to call with it being a long way away – so with that and just a five point gap currently between the two sides, let’s go for a draw.

If the remaining fixtures did end up going this way, it'd mean that Reading would finish the season with 61 points.

With sixth placed Preston currently on 56 points, barring something incredible - Reading would finish comfortably outside of the play off places.

But, having already eclipsed the points tally of last season, it appears that Reading are progressing under Mark Bowen, not regressing.