Promotion hopefuls Reading begin their League One campaign with a tricky trip to Sincil Bank to take on Lincoln City on Saturday afternoon.
The Royals came agonisingly close to finishing in the playoffs last season, as they finished in seventh position, just three points behind sixth-placed Leyton Orient.
Noel Hunt’s men finished the season having lost just three of their final 19 EFL fixtures, with their final-day 2-4 loss at home to Barnsley, coupled with Leyton Orient’s 1-4 win at Huddersfield, costing them a place in the playoffs.
As for Lincoln, it was another solid season, as they finished in 11th position, 17 points outside of the playoffs, but 15 points clear of the relegation zone.
Michael Skubala’s hosts finished the season having lost just one of their final seven League One encounters at Sincil Bank (W4-D2-L1), with that defeat coming on the final day of the season against promoted Wrexham.
How the bookies view it: Imps favourites
Lincoln are fancied to continue their strong home form from the end of last season, with BoyleSports pricing them up at 10/11.
The Royals are 12/5 to leave Lincolnshire with all three points, whilst the draw is also 12/5.
Head to head: Three in a row for Lincoln?
Lincoln came out on top in both of the meetings between the pair last season, with The Imps winning 2-0 at Sincil Bank just before Christmas, and 0-1 in Berkshire in April.
Players to watch: Collins to continue his streak?
Despite only arriving from Derby County in January, James Collins was Lincoln’s top scorer last season, scoring on 10 occasions. The veteran Irishman scored the only goal in their 0-1 victory at Reading in April, and is an appealing 6/4 to net here.
Royals captain Lewis Wing finished last season in fine goal-scoring form, scoring in each of his last three and four of his past six appearances, and is a massive 9/2 at BoyleSports to score anytime.
Predicted line-ups:
Lincoln are expected to make a similar lineup to the one that started their 4-2 friendly victory over West Brom last time out, with James Collins leading the line.
The Royals have just signed Paddy Lane from Portsmouth, and the 23-year-old winger may make his debut on Saturday.
Lincoln City: Wickens, Darikwa, Jackson, Bradley, Towler, Makama, McGrandles, Bayliss, Hackett, House, Collins
Reading: Pereira, Abrefa, Burns, O’Connor, Garcia, Elliott, Wing, Knibbs, Kyerewaa, Lane, Ehibhatiomham
Anything else catch the eye?
As mentioned above, Lincoln got the better of Reading in both fixtures between the pair last season, winning 2-0 at Sincil Bank and 0-1 in Berkshire.
The Imps lost just one of their final seven League One clashes on home soil, with that coming against promoted Wrexham.
However, The Royals lost just one of their final eight League One clashes on their travels, so backing a draw may be the safer option in this one.
GambleAware