This time last season Reading and Leeds United were both challenging for the play-offs in the Sky Bet Championship, but during the 2017/18 campaign have endured much different form.
Jaap Stam’s Reading were beaten play-off finalists last season, but this year find themselves battling to pull clear of the relegation zone ahead of the final 11 fixtures of the campaign.
Leeds finished seventh last season in the Championship, and despite looking like they would challenge again this season, a difficult start to 2018 has seen the Whites begin to drift towards a mid-table finish.
Paul Heckingbottom’s Leeds travel to the Madejski Stadium to take on Reading, with the Whites looking to record just their second victory of 2018 and plunge the Royals into further relegation trouble.
Both squads have plenty of talent, but neither have managed to perform to their best consistently this season.
Here at FLW, we take a look at those squads and select a combined XI ahead of this weekend…
Leeds’ goalkeeping troubles have haunted them all season, with Felix Wiedwald and Andy Lonergan struggling.
Mannone gets the nod.
With Luke Ayling missing the second-half of the season through injury, Gunter features on the right of our defence.
Moore was so consistent for Reading last season, providing a solid base for Stam’s side to work from.
The defender has struggled to rediscover that form on occasion this season, but there is no denying his quality.
Like Moore, Jansson hasn’t been able to find the consistency he showed last season for Leeds.
However, he is an automatic pick here.
Reading and Leeds have had big issues with the left-back slot this season, meaning Berardi features out of position.
Forshaw hasn’t been at Leeds long, but he has shown his quality in central midfield and will be a good addition at Elland Road.
Kelly is a magnificent talent that has impressed during his time in Reading’s first-team.
The 21-year-old edges out Ronaldo Vieira and Kalvin Phillips.
Hernandez is a special talent, who has impressed for Leeds in a disappointing season.
Like Hernandez, Saiz has impressed for Leeds this season in an attacking midfield role.
Saiz has delivered this year for Leeds, and you could argue that his suspension has cost the Whites in their race for the play-offs.
Barrow struggled on-loan at Leeds last season, but since his switch to Reading he has looked a different player.
The winger was the difference when Reading faced Leeds earlier in the season.
£3.15m-rated Martin gets into this side ahead of Pierre-Michel Lasogga, due to the reputation he built up during his time with Derby County.
Neither club has had a striker that has delivered consistently enough this season.