What channel is Reading vs Birmingham City on? Kick-off time, TV & stream details, latest team news

Birmingham City will be looking to build on their 2-2 draw with Stoke City when they travel to the Madejski Stadium to take on struggling Reading on Tuesday night.

The Royals are currently languishing just one place above the drop zone but will be buoyed after a rare win over Preston North End on Saturday.

With Paul Ince in temporary charge in Berkshire, it’s a game that has probably come at the worst time for the Blues but after two positive results of their own, they can only focus on themselves going into this one.

A win could lift Lee Bowyer’s side to 16th on 40 points and give them a solid foundation to end the season strong.

Here’s all the information you need to know ahead of the clash.

When and where is the match?

The Championship fixture between Reading and Birmingham takes place on Tuesday 22 February at Reading’s Madejski Stadium.

Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 (GMT).

Is Reading vs Birmingham City on TV?

Yes. Reading vs Birmingham will be shown live on Sky Sports Football.

It is one of five Championship fixtures being shown on the night and you can choose the match of your choice via the red button. Coverage will begin around five minutes prior to kick-off.

Sky Sports customers will be able to stream the game via the Sky Go app whilst BluesTV and RoyalsTV will also be streaming the game in full for a fee of £10.

Who is the match referee?

Simon Hooper will take charge of the match between Reading and Birmingham with Scott Ledger and Matthew Wilkes running the lines.

Tim Robinson is on fourth official duties.

Hooper has taken charge of 21 games so far this season, awarding 76 yellow cards, one red (two yellows) and five penalties.

Team news

Birmingham should be as they were in their 2-2 draw with Stoke City on Saturday with the only change being the possibility of a return to the squad for Teden Mengi.

Tahith Chong got some minutes in the tank for the PL2 side on Monday as he continues his recovery from his thigh injury so Tuesday’s trip will come a little too soon for him.

Taylor Richards is finally doing some work on the grass but is still a way off first team football.

Scott Hogan, Marc Roberts, George Friend and Troy Deeny all remain out.

Josh Laurent has missed the last two games for Reading with an ankle injury whilst Baba Rahman was forced off in the win over Preston North End with a hamstring problem so is likely to miss out.

Form guide

Reading: LLLLDW

Birmingham: DDLLWD

Head-to-head record

The two sides have faced off just 42 times previously over the years with Birmingham being on the better end of the results by the slimest of margins.

17 wins have gone the Blues way with 15 losses and 12 draws.

It was the Royals that came out on top earlier in this campaign, a 2-1 victory at St. Andrew’s in November was enough to send them home with the three points.

Betting odds

Reading: 6/4

Draw: 12/5

Birmingham City: 7/4

Correct as of lunchtime 22 February

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