Centre-back Liam Moore takes the free-kick and it's disappointingly straight at the defensive wall.

But the ball breaks again for Reading for Yakou Meite to have a strike from range and the swerve almost catches Brice Samba out in the Forest goal as he has to quickly adjust to palm it away.

Reading win a free-kick just outside the penalty area as Ovie Ejaria's quick feet cause Forest a few headaches.

What will this have in store?

Reading enjoying the early pressure.

Michael Olise's cross from the left causes Joe Worrall to get his feet in a tangle before Reading force a corner.

Forest manage to get it clear though.

Can definitely agree on the face masks in the cold theory. Saved my nose from dropping off when covering Oxford v Ipswich on Tuesday night in freezing temperatures!

Patient start to this match meanwhile in the opening exchanges.

Vicci Elliot: Am at Mad Stad for first game since 7th March when we beat Birmingham away. Come on you royals.

Image source, @viccielliot

One undeniable benefit of wearing face masks at football matches - other than the obvious safety element - is they do help keep you warm. Welcome back, Vicci!

Good noise there from the assembled home supporters. Should add some colour to what we've witnessed in recent months.

Gavin Ward is the man in charge for this one and after the two sets of players take a knee, we are off and running.

A Reading win will take them level on points with leaders Bournemouth.

And with moments to go until kick-off, the two sides make their way on to the pitch from the tunnel at the Madejski Stadium.

Around 2,000 home fans rise to their feet to greet the team in blue and white hoops.

BBC local radio

Although rights restrictions prevent us from being able to stream EFL commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app, BBC local radio are on hand at all this afternoon's matches to provide full match commentary.

Search your local listings on the BBC Sounds page for more information if you're in the transmission area of both BBC Radio Berkshire and BBC Radio Nottingham for this afternoon's first match.

Image source, Rex Features

Contrasting fortunes for these two sides of late and that's reflected by them finding themselves at opposite ends of the table.

Reading seem to be heading back on the right track after their promising start hit the buffers with four defeats in a row.

But two draws and a win from their past three have put Veljko Paunovic's side in touching distance of the summit again.

Forest on the other hand are stuttering, just three points above the bottom three.

No win in the past four for Chris Hughton's side has also been accompanied by no goals in those matches.

A goalless draw at the City Ground against Watford on Wednesday did at least arrest a run of three successive defeats.

Image source, Rex Features

Bournemouth moved to the top of the Championship as two goals in each half saw them ruthlessly defeat Barnsley on Friday evening.

A win for Norwich at home to struggling Sheffield Wednesday today will send the Canaries back to the top of the division.

If you're fortunate to be among the crowds at those 17 fixtures we mentioned in the introduction this afternoon, do let us know.

Tell us where you're going and how long it's been since watching your last match using #bbcefl

Image source, PA Media

Reading manager Veljko Paunovic makes just the one change from the team which were held to a 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday of all days.

Yakou Meite starts with former Forest loanee Alfa Semedo dropping to the bench.

Nottingham Forest also make just the one change from a goalless draw at home to Watford.

Chris Hughton gives Scott McKenna a start in central defence ahead of Tobias Figuereido.

Reading XI: Rafael, Holmes, Richards, Moore (capt), Morrison, Rinomhota, Laurent, Ejaria, Olise, Meite, Joao.

Subs: Southwood, Esteves, Gibson, McIntyre, Tetek, Semedo, Onen, Aluko, Baldock.

Forest XI: Samba. Christie, Worrall (c), McKenna, Ribeiro, Yates, Arter, Cafu, Knockaert, Taylor, Lolley.

Subs: Smith, Figueiredo, Ameobi, Jenkinson, Guerrero, Dawson, Sow, Ioannou, Swan.

Image source, Getty Images

Welcome along for another bumper Saturday afternoon of EFL action.

What's more, turnstiles are starting to click once again as more grounds reopen their doors to supporters to return.

Seventeen fixtures across the three divisions will have limited crowds in Tier 1 and Tier 2 area, starting with 2,000 at the first Championship fixture of the afternoon between Reading and Nottingham Forest.

The action kicks-off there in the next 15 minutes.