West Bromwich Albion's first game of 2023 sees them take on Reading at The Hawthorns in the Sky Bet Championship on Monday afternoon (ko 3pm).
Carlos Corberán's men will have the opportunity to record a fifth successive home triumph and an eighth win from their last nine games.
The Royals made a positive start to the 2022/23 campaign and picked up where they left off last season after beginning a new tenure under boss Paul Ince, winning four of their first six league matches this term.
Reading are scoring regularly on the road - netting in seven of their last nine away days - and Ince's men will be looking to continue their attacking form in B71, as they look to challenge Albion's recent unbeaten home run.
Follow the game live
Supporters can listen to live audio commentary of Albion's clash with the Royals on Monday afternoon on WBA Radio.
Gez Mulholland and Andy Johnson will bring you every kick from The Hawthorns. Audio passes can be purchased for £2.50 here.
Albion fans inside and outside the United Kingdom can watch the game live on WBA TV. A video match pass is available to purchase for £10 here.
Live updates will also be posted across the club's social media channels throughout the day.
Our opponents
Albion will know all too well about the threats Monday afternoon's visitors will pose.
Andy Carroll, who spent half a season with the Baggies last term, will be determined to get on the scoresheet against his former club when he returns to The Hawthorns having netted in the Royals' recent 1-1 draw at Norwich.
The target man and former England international has bagged four goals during the present campaign, while manager Ince's son, Tom, has been one of Reading's standout performers this season.
After failing to find regular game time at Stoke City, the attacker grasped loan opportunities at fellow Championship sides Luton Town and, more recently, the Royals before making the move a permanent one in the summer of 2022. Ince has nine direct goal involvements (six goals and three assists) to his name already this term.
Guiding Reading to safety towards the end of the last campaign saw boss Paul Ince offered the job on a permanent basis, and while his side experienced a mixed bag of results towards the end of 2022, he will be hopeful their early season form can show again in the New Year, as they aim to close in on the play-off positions.
From the Albion Archive
The Baggies secured three Sky Bet Championship points thanks to a convincing 4-1 win over Reading at The Hawthorns in October 2018.
Dwight Gayle bagged a brace, while Harvey Barnes and Kyle Bartley also found the net.
Leandro Bacuna scored Reading's goal that afternoon.
One for the stattos
Albion will be looking to extend their unbeaten league run at The Hawthorns against the Royals to 13 matches (W10, D2).
The Baggies' last league defeat in B71 to Reading was a 1-0 reverse in February 1988 in an old Division Two encounter, though Monday's guests have won twice here in the cup since then.
Fan Zone
The Fan Zone will be open for West Bromwich Albion and Reading supporters in possession of a match ticket from midday on Monday.
There's plenty going on for supporters, with on-stage events, guest speakers, live football on the big screen, plenty of food and drink offerings and several activities for children.
Prizes will be available for those participating in the aforementioned activities, which includes a signed Jed Wallace poster, as well of lots of other club merchandise.
Ticket details
Tickets remain on general sale for the visit of the Royals on Monday.
Travel information
Owing to industrial action, train services are only operating to/from The Hawthorns until 7pm on Monday, January 2.
Supporters are advised to plan potential different routes home.
