Reading play host to Sunderland on Wednesday evening looking for the victory which would keep them in the top three of the Championship standings.
Meanwhile, Sunderland make the trip to Berkshire as high as eighth spot, despite failing to put together consecutive victories in the second tier this season.
Match preview
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II led to Reading and Sunderland having an unforeseen weekend off, with the home side having to bide their time before they attempt to build on a run of four wins in five matches.
Two goals from Lucas Joao against Stoke City last time out ensured that Paul Ince's team would remain in contention at the top of the table.
Reading fans know from past experiences that they should not get carried away at this stage, but there is also little reason not to be optimistic about the job that Ince continues to do at the Berkshire outfit.
At a time when their best work has come at their home ground, Ince and the club's supporters will expect to add a further three points to their total, potentially opening up a gap over seventh spot and lower.
On the back of starting his Sunderland reign with a 3-0 victory over Rotherham United, Tony Mowbray would have been quietly confident about further success in the derby with Middlesbrough.
However, the Black Cats went down to a 1-0 defeat at the Riverside Stadium, also losing Ross Stewart to an injury in the warm-up.
Mowbray must now look to get a reaction out of a team that can still be positive about their beginning of the season given the circumstances surrounding the change in manager.
Although their away record this season is hit and miss, a return of six points from a possible 12 is one of the best returns in the division.
That said, they conceded late goals against Coventry City and Queens Park Rangers at the Stadium of Light to only draw those matches, and they can ill-afford further lapses in concentration against a potential playoff rival.
