Middlesbrough travel to the Madejski Stadium to take on Reading this weekend knowing fully well that a loss could place them deep in the Premiership relegation zone. Reading on the other hand will want to consolidate their position and move as far away from the drop zone as possible.

Reading have lost six of their last seven Premiership games and worry lines are indeed deep on manager Steve Coppell's face. The talk of him being in the race to succeed Steve McClaren for the England manager's job would not have helped either.

Nevertheless Reading will hope to turn this around as they prepare to play a clutch of matches during the holiday season, the results of which could very well decide their final standing in the Premiership. Michael Duberry is being monitored on a day-to-day basis after cracking his ribs in the Fulham game, while Cisse and Little are also struggling with little niggles. Reading are 13th on the Premiership table with 13 points from 14 games.

Middlesbrough on the other hand have had a nightmarish Premiership season so far. Their last win came against Birmingham City way back in September and manager Gareth Southgate will be fully aware his position is shaky.

Although Middlesbrough managed a few creditable draws after their last win, these results have not helped them as far as their position is concerned. They continue to hover uncomfortably close to the drop zone and a loss at Reading could very well plunge them into the relegation dog fight mid way through the season.

For Boro, Julio Acra continues to recover from his knee injury and is expected to be back only in December. Middlesbrough are 17th on the Premier League table with 10 points from 14 games.

Last season this fixture was clinched 3-2 by Reading, a result that can relieve some pressure on the team if repeated this season. Watch Reading vs Middlesbrough live on free-football.tv.