Former Leeds and Forest player David Prutton is back for a new season of predictions with Sky Sports, and he's not impressed with Reading's chances in the season curtain-raiser this evening.

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Paul Clement's Royals play host to Frank Lampard's Derby County, and whilst the two men know each other well from their Chelsea days, Prutton doesn't feel there's going to be a joyful reunion on Clement's behalf.

"Derby came close to the play-off final last season but the change in management means there shouldn't be too much of a hangover there," he wrote on Sky Sports. "Surely the only way is up for Reading after such a poor campaign. That being said, I reckon that Lampard will kick things off with a win."

He's plumped for a 2-0 win for the Rams in front of the Sky cameras, with new signing Jack Marriott to score first.

Marriott, a summer capture from Peterborough, is likely to make his Derby debut along with a raft of other new faces including former Reading midfielder George Evans who switched clubs this week.

Reading will likely hand first competitive appearances to Sam Baldock and former Coventry striker Marc McNulty, amongst others.

The match kicks off this evening at 8pm and is the very first game of the 2018/19 season.

The Verdict

I don't think Prutton is far out with this prediction, although the opening round of matches are notoriously hard to predict and often don't follow form or expectation.

Reading might spring a surprise, much depends on McNulty and Baldock, but Derby do looks strong on paper and will be on most fans' accumulators as an early banker.