Are we expected goals, goals, goals tonight?

Well the history books suggest not. Sorry. The last five league encounters between these two sides in Reading have delivered a total of just four goals.

Possession is exchanging sides frequently in these early stages.

QPR venture forwards for the first attack of the game as Matt Phillips does well to get into space but his square ball is cleared by Reading.

It has been a pretty low-key first few minutes.

Hosts Reading have lost just one home league game so far this season and are unbeaten in their last five at the Madejski Stadium.

Visitors QPR have lost five consecutive away games and have won just twice on the road in the Championship so far this season.

Image source, BBC Sport

The game begins as QPR get things started.

Are you ready? Ninth in the Championship plays 12th.

Can Reading move into the play-off places tonight?

Or will QPR pick up a rare away win?

We're about to find out.

The players emerge from the tunnel onto the field, led by Reading chairman Sir John Madejski, two days after his 25th anniversary at the club.

Bit left-field Matt!

As well as BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Radio London's Live radio commentaries, you can also listen to live coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live tonight.

Click on the live coverage tab at the top of this page to tune in.

Reading chairman Sir John Madejski marked a quarter of a century at the Berkshire club on Tuesday.

The 74-year-old admits he is enjoying "some me-time" after stepping off "a white-knuckle ride" at the Championship club.

He has given his blessing to any plans to sell the naming rights to the stadium which bears his name.  

Adam Williams
BBC Sport at Madejski Stadium

Image source, BBC Sport

Wind and rain whipping up a small storm around the Madejski Stadium ahead of kick-off this evening.

Reading, one league defeat at home all season, face a QPR side who have scored just once in their last five games.

Across town, those not on match commentary duty for BBC Radio Berkshire are getting their Christmas party in full swing.

Will Steve Clarke's side maintain the party spirit or will QPR be party poopers here tonight?

So, is Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink the right man to take QPR forward?

Tonight, we want to hear your views.

Get in touch via #bbcfootball on Twitter to tell us what you think.

Image source, Rex Features

Meanwhile, visitors QPR have made one change to their side for tonight's match, after Saturday's 1-0 home win over Leeds United.

Midfielder Leroy Fer returns to the starting XI after a one-match suspension.

Rangers talisman Charlie Austin has been suffering with a calf problem and remains on the bench.

QPR starting XI: Green, Perch, Hall, Onuoha, Konchesky, Sandro, Faurlin, Petrasso, Fer, Hoilett, Phillips.

Substitutes: Smithies, Angella, Chery, Henry, Luongo, Tozser, Austin.

Image source, Rex Features

Tonight's hosts Reading are without captain Paul McShane after he was injured in a clash of heads at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Midfielder Gareth McCleary was doubtful before the game with a hamstring niggle but he has been deemed fit enough to start.

Reading starting XI: Al-Habsi, Gunter, Taylor, Hector (c), Ferdinand, Norwood, Williams, Fernandez, McCleary, Vydra, Blackman.

Substitutes: Bond, Robson-Kanu, Sa, Obita, Hurtado, John, Cooper.

Image source, Rex Features

The man currently in the QPR dugout is Neil Warnock, who has been in interim charge since Chris Ramsey was sacked on 4 November.

Former boss Warnock was in an advisory role to Ramsey prior to the dismissal.

Under 67-year-old Warnock, QPR have taken four points from three games.

But this is looking increasingly likely to be his last game in charge...

Image source, Rex Features

It is fair to say these two clubs have been at the very centre of the managerial merry-go-round in recent weeks.

Reading boss Steve Clarke opted to stay at the Madejski after holding talks with Fulham about their vacancy, but did the episode lower his popularity among the Royals fans, or enhance it?

Meanwhile, QPR have opened talks with Burton manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink about the becoming the London club's new boss.

League One Burton have accepted an approach from tonight's visitors for Hasselbaink and negotiations are under way.

Image source, Rex Features

Good evening! You've come to the right place for some Thursday night football.

Tonight's game at the Madejski Stadium is between two Championship clubs who have both endured mixed runs of form of late, but both have big expectations and plenty of potential.

Can either Reading or QPR get their promotion bids back on track this evening?

Stay tuned to find out. Kick-off is at 20:00 GMT.