It was not opening days to remember for Reading and Preston North End, with both sides eager to put things right this weekend.

The Royals were beaten by a late Sam Surridge goal, which secured a 3-2 victory for Stoke City, but they will be hoping that their return to Berkshire is more rewarding.

It was more disastrous for The Lilywhites against Hull City last Saturday. Despite going 1-0 up in just eight minutes, The Tigers scored four times to top the table.

The defeats left Reading in 19th-place, whilst Preston sunk to 23rd in the Championship table, however, 45 games still remain in this Championship season.

Sky Sports' David Prutton has predicted that this game will finish 1-1. He believes that both sides will have to continue their wait for a 2021/22 Championship victory.

The verdict

Reading have been hit hard this summer. They are under a transfer embargo and they are without a whole host of regular first-teamers from last season.

However, they did not perform too badly against The Potters and were eventually edged out by a late winner. The Royals still possess a strong squad and have a more than competent manager at the helm, and should be able to do enough to secure three points.

Preston were poor against Hull, and whilst The Tigers gave a brilliant account of themselves after promotion to the Championship last time out, The Lilywhites struggled massively.

Frankie McAvoy enjoyed an excellent end to last season, but Saturday's result against Hull will have worried some Preston fans about what could happen this season.