Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has delivered his prediction for Reading FC’s Easter Friday showdown against Birmingham City.

Royals head into the game at the Select Car Leasing Stadium on the back of a six-point deduction in the Championship for breaching terms of a business plan with the English Football League (EFL).

It means they go into this latest round of fixtures just one point above the relegation zone with only seven games remaining in the campaign.

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Paul Ince’s side have drawn their past two fixtures – both 1-1 against Hull City and Bristol City either side of the international break – and Prutton believes the drawing streak will continue when the Blues come to town.

The former Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Southampton midfielder has forecast a 2-2 draw between Reading and Birmingham, a result which would do little to ease Royals’ relegation fears heading into the final few weeks.

Wigan Athletic, Blackpool, Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City all currently sit below Reading in the standings but with just six points separating the five clubs, the battle to avoid the drop into League One is likely to go to the wire.

Blackpool host Cardiff on Friday, a game in which Prutton has predicted a 1-0 victory for Mick McCarthy’s men. Prutton has gone for a 2-1 defeat for Wigan at Sheffield United while he reckons Huddersfield will claim a point in a 1-1 draw at Watford.

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