Reading boss Mark Bowen has claimed that his side will need to show their "football intelligence" to get a result against high-flying Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday.

The Whites got back to winning ways against Bristol City last weekend, beating the Robins 1-0 to claim just their second victory in 2020.

With Kalvin Phillips back in the side, Leeds have looked a force to be reckoned with once again in recent weeks, which indicates the Royals will have to be at the top of their game to get anything from the clash.

Reading are also fresh off the back of an impressive Championship win, having beaten Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 at Hillsborough last weekend.

Bowen's men will be hoping for another result in Yorkshire when they face Leeds on Saturday.

Speaking to Get Reading ahead of the game, the Royals boss revealed what he felt his side needed to do to get a result.

He said: "We need to show some football intelligence.

"I’m trying to drum into the guys the things that go unnoticed can make a massive difference in games.

He added: "I know we have good players but we won’t get consistent results if we’re not on our game."

Last weekend's result has moved Bowen's side clear of any real relegation concerns for the time being, though they remain 11 points adrift of the play-offs, which suggests that they're unlikely to challenge for a top-six finish.

They could yet play a key part in the Championship this season, however, and a result against the Whites might be decisive in what is a tight race for promotion.

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The Verdict

You can't help but agree with Bowen's verdict here. The Royals are going to have to be very clever to come out of this game with a result.

Marcelo Bielsa's men look as though they have rediscovered their mojo and were all over the Robins last weekend.

Elland Road can be a difficult place to go and Reading have to be smart on Saturday.

They've certainly improved under Bowen but this is set to be a real test of where they are.