This lunchtime, Reading host Bristol City live on Sky Sports.

Below we tell you all you need to know about the Robins ahead of the game.

Recent Background

One of the biggest teams to have never played in the Premier League, the side have not played top-flight football in over 40 years.

Since the turn of the Millennium the West Country outfit have played in League One and the Championship, winning two Football League Trophy’s in the process.

Playing in the second tier since 2015/16, the squad managed by Lee Johnson established themselves as a force in the division for five years, regularly knocking on the door of the top six before falling in the latter stages, but the former Reds player lost his job in July.

Under Johnson’s assistant, Dean Holden, they have started this season in terrific form and currently sit third in the table, one point ahead of Reading.

In midweek they drew 0-0 with fellow play-off challengers Watford.

Key Players

According to WhoScored, the most common line-up is a 3-5-2 formation.

Unsurprisingly from a squad regularly challenging for a place in the top 10, they have plenty of talented players capable of hurting Reading on Saturday.

In goal they have former Brentford keeper Dan Bentley, who is one of the most highly rated shot stoppers in the division.

A back three of Zak Vyner, Alfie Mawson and Taylor Moore will have to be changed, with Mawson out injured as will be captain Tomas Kalas.

Jack Hunt and Jay Dasilva offer support out wide while Adam Nagy, Hans-Noah Masengo and Jamie Paterson hold the middle.

Up front they have a plethora of options including Famara Diedhiou, Nakhi Wells and former Royal Chris Martin.

Other options not mentioned above include experienced defender Chris Brunt, Callum O’Dowda and Antoine Semenyo.

Previous Meetings

The sides have met 98 times since the first meeting in 1922, with 39 wins apiece.

Last season Bristol City did the double over Reading, with both games finishing 1-0.

The most famous meeting of recent times between the two sides was a 3-2 win for the Royals at Ashton Gate, despite being 2-0 down.

It kick-started Brian McDermott’s season after a hangover from the previous season’s play-off final defeat as the side went on to win the Championship title.

Odds

According to Sky Bet, Reading are 29/20, the visitors at 2/1 and a draw 11/5.