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How can Reading respond here?

They actually played pretty well in their 3-0 home defeat by Preston in midweek and have been fairly neat and tidy in much of their play so far today.

However, if they can't turn this one around it'll be three straight defeats for the league leaders.

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Getty Images

Stoke midfielder John Mikel Obi has a swing at a bouncing ball about 25 yards or so out.

The veteran Nigerian isn't famed for his goalscoring ability and that shot is not close to the goal.

Stoke still yet to really put their foot on the ball and build anything of note in this game.

The hosts are moving the ball around fairly well but all in front of the Stoke defence at the moment.

Reading enjoying the lion's share of possession and territory so far.

Stoke have had a couple of forays forward but are yet to work home goalkeeper Rafael.

Quick catch up here, Stoke midfielder Jordan Thompson is in the book for a fairly unpleasant tackle near the halfway line.

That foul led to the free-kick that ended with Alfa Semedo bringing a fine save from Angus Gunn in the Stoke goal.

Image source, Rex Features

Huge chance for the hosts!

A deep cross takes a big deflection and loops up to Alfa Semedo in the six yard box but he directs his header straight at Angus Gunn in the Stoke goal.

Moments later Semedo is denied again by the Southampton loanee.

Reading win the game's first corner down their left.

Omar Richards' delivery is easily cleared away by the first man.

The visitors get us under way.

Can Reading get the win to go five points clear at the top?

Image source, Rex Features

A second minute goal from Chris Martin was enough to give Bristol City a 1-0 win at rivals Cardiff on Friday night.

That proved to be their only shot on target but, despite numerous chances, the Bluebirds could not find a way past Robins goalkeeper Daniel Bentley.

Dean Holden's men are up to second.

Image source, Rex Features

As I'm sure you're well aware by now this is FA Cup first round weekend so all our League One and Two teams are in Cup action.

If you want to follow what's going in those ties then simply click here.

We've got 10 games coming up at 15:00 GMT in the Championship and here's what you've got to look forward to:

• Birmingham City v AFC Bournemouth
• Blackburn Rovers v Queens Park Rangers
• Brentford v Middlesbrough
• Derby County v Barnsley
• Huddersfield Town v Luton Town
• Norwich City v Swansea City
• Nottingham Forest v Wycombe Wanderers
• Rotherham United v Preston North End
• Sheffield Wednesday v Millwall
• Watford v Coventry City

Reading make three changes to the team that lost 3-0 at home to Preston in midweek. The Royals hand a debut to Everton loanee Lewis Gibson in defence.Stoke City name an unchanged side from the team that lost 3-2 at Watford on Wednesday.

Reading XI: Rafael, Esteves, Richards, Gibson, Morrison, Rinomhota, Laurent, Semedo, Yiadom, Puscas, Joao.

Subs: Southwood, McIntyre, Watson, Aluko, Tetek, Olise, Baldock.

Stoke XI: Gunn, Smith, Souttar, Batth, Fox, Campbell, Obi Mikel, Thompson, McClean, Fletcher, Powell.

Subs: Nna Noukeu, Ince, Vokes, Brown, Oakley-Boothe, Tymon, Collins.

Image source, Rex Features

It was a frankly unbelievable start to the season for Reading.

The Royals won seven and drew one of their first eight league games to go seven points clear at the top of the table.

However, the past two games have seen them come back down to earth with a bit of a bump.

Back-to-back defeats by Coventry City and Preston have seen their lead at the top cut to two points.

Can Veljko Paunovic's side get back on track with victory over Michael O'Neill's Stoke today?

Good afternoon and welcome to Saturday's EFL live text.