3 huge Championship clashes to keep an eye on this weekend

Brighton vs Reading

Saturday evening sees second place Brighton host play-off contenders Reading at the AMEX Stadium, with the hosts looking to get back into the top tier for the first time since 1983.

Chris Hughton’s men are only four points ahead of third place Huddersfield after the Terriers beat Jaap Stam’s Royals 1-0 on Tuesday night, a result which puts the pressure on the Seagulls ahead of Saturday’s clash.

However, Brighton haven’t lost at home in the league since September 10, when Brentford won there 2-0, and since then have won ten and drawn three of their 13 games, with only Preston, Aston Villa, and Ipswich taking points from their travels down south.

Nonetheless, Reading are fourth in the table having won 18 of their 33 Championship games this term, although their 1-0 defeat at Huddersfield on Tuesday has all but ended their hopes of automatic promotion this season.

The Royals are eight points behind the Seagulls having played a game more, although they have an eight-point cushion over seventh place Fulham, so the play-offs look a good bet for Stam’s men.

Reading have lost just one of their last seven league games although have won just twice on the road in 2017, so Brighton will go in as favourites on Saturday evening in what should be a fascinating encounter between two sides near the top of the division.