Yet promotion hopefuls Sunderland need to win if their top two ambitions are to live beyond the season's opening month.
However history seems perhaps to be on Reading's side. They have played Sunderland thirteen times and, despite being a considerably smaller club, have a respectable winning record.
Sunderland have visited Reading on seven occasions - and have won three of those games, they've also lost three times and drew the one remaining game between the two sides.
Away from home Reading's record is only slightly worse - the Royals won at Roker Park back in September 1994 and have drawn away to the Black Cats three times in a total of six games.
The history books suggest Reading are more than capable of matching Sunderland, despite their more illustrious past.
Yet the Royals were twice comprehensively beaten by Mick McCarthy's team last season.
Reading, managed by stand-in boss Kevin Dillon, were defeated 2-0 at the Stadium of Light last September. Goals from Julio Arca and John Oster gave the home side victory.
In the return fixture at the Madejski Stadium last March Sunderland again emerged victorious.
Darren Byfield gave the visitors the lead with seventeen minutes remaining before the impressive Tommy Smith doubled the Black Cats advantage moments later following a defensive mix up.
Although Jeff Whitley was dismissed late on, the Royals just couldn't find a way through.
If they are to win tomorrow, today's Reading team must look to seek inspiration from that of seven years ago, as that team sensationally thumped Sunderland 4-0 at home.
However, one cannot help but believe that there will be no repeat rout as despite Sunderland's recent poor form, last season's tightly-contested games indicate that if the Royals are to take all three points they surely cannot do so with a comprehensive win.
The Complete History Of Reading v Sunderland Games:
| At Reading (7) | At Sunderland (6) | |||||
| Results | Total | % | Results | Total | % | |
| Reading | 3 | 42.86 | Sunderland | 2 | 33.33 | |
| Sunderland | 3 | 42.86 | Reading | 1 | 16.67 | |
| Draws | 1 | 14.29 | Draws | 3 | 50.00 | |
| Goals | Total | Av.pg | Goals | Total | Av.pg | |
| Reading | 9 | 1.29 | Sunderland | 10 | 1.67 | |
| Sunderland | 9 | 1.29 | Reading | 6 | 1.00 | |
| On Neutral Ground (0) | ||||||
| Overall (13 matches) | ||||||
| Results | Total | % | Results | Total | % | |
| Reading | 0 | 0.00 | Reading | 4 | 30.77 | |
| Sunderland | 0 | 0.00 | Sunderland | 5 | 38.46 | |
| Draws | 0 | 0.00 | Draws | 4 | 30.77 | |
| Goals | Total | Av.pg | Goals | Total | Av.pg | |
| Reading | 0 | 0.00 | Reading | 15 | 1.15 | |
| Sunderland | 0 | 0.00 | Sunderland | 19 | 1.46 | |
| Records | |||||
| Highest Aggregate | 5 | Sunderland | 4 - 1 | Reading | 1997/1998 |
| Highest Reading score: | 4 | Reading | 4 - 0 | Sunderland | 1997/1998 |
| Highest Sunderland score: | 4 | Sunderland | 4 - 1 | Reading | 1997/1998 |
| Season | Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition |
| 2003/2004 | Sat 20 Mar | Reading | 0 - 2 | Sunderland | League Division One |
| Sat 27 Sep | Sunderland | 2 - 0 | Reading | League Division One | |
| 1997/1998 | Tue 17 Feb | Sunderland | 4 - 1 | Reading | League Division One |
| Sat 04 Oct | Reading | 4 - 0 | Sunderland | League Division One | |
| 1995/1996 | Sat 16 Dec | Reading | 1 - 1 | Sunderland | League Division One |
| Sat 30 Sep | Sunderland | 2 - 2 | Reading | League Division One | |
| 1994/1995 | Sat 03 Dec | Sunderland | 0 - 1 | Reading | League Division One |
| Sat 22 Oct | Reading | 0 - 2 | Sunderland | League Division One | |
| 1989/1990 | Sat 06 Jan | Reading | 2 - 1 | Sunderland | F.A. Cup |
| 1986/1987 | Sat 31 Jan | Reading | 1 - 0 | Sunderland | Second Division |
| Tue 21 Oct | Sunderland | 1 - 1 | Reading | Second Division | |
| 1972/1973 | Wed 07 Feb | Reading | 1 - 3 | Sunderland | F.A. Cup |
| Sat 03 Feb | Sunderland | 1 - 1 | Reading | F.A. Cup |