Luton Town know a win against Readingon the final day of the Championshipseason will guarantee them a place in the playoffs.
The Hatters currently sit sixth in the table, two points ahead of seventh-placed Middlesbrough. The Royals will definitely finish 21st after confirming their survival a fortnight ago.
It has been a remarkable season so far for Luton, who are pushing for promotion despite having the lowest budget in the second tier.
The Hatters seemed relatively comfortable in the playoff positions a week ago following a run of just one defeat in eight matches, but a 7-0 loss to Fulham on Monday means they are looking nervously over their shoulder.
A win on the final day guarantees a spot in the top six, but if they drop points then Middlesbrough or Millwall – who both have a better goal difference – could be ready to take their place. It is no wonder that Nathan Jones has described this game as “giant, mammoth, unbelievable”.
Luton have suffered just four defeats from 22 games at Kenilworth Road this season, and have only been beaten once at home since the end of November. They have scored in 10 of their 11 home matches in 2022.
The Hatters earned a 2-0 win in Berkshire in this season’s reverse fixture in January as Allan Campbell found the net after Tom Holmes’s own goal.
Reading have nothing left to play for but will aim to be the party crashers in Bedfordshire on Saturday afternoon.
The Royals – who were deducted six points in November for breaching profit and sustainability rules – have spent the season battling against relegation after finishing seventh last year.
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Paul Ince replaced Veljko Paunovic in the dugout in February and has steered the club to safety with four wins and three draws from 13 matches.
Reading, who lost 1-0 at home against West Bromwich Albion last weekend, have won only six away games all season and have picked up just one win in their last six matches on the road.
The Royals have only won one of their last seven trips to Kenilworth Road, with that solitary victory being a 5-0 thrashing in July 2020
