Cardiff v Reading Betting Tip Over 2.5 goals – Saturday 24 January

FA Cup & League Cup Tips

As much as things have not went to plan on the pitch for the pre-season promotion favourites, Cardiff, the fact that their owner has reversed his decision to change the colour of the club’s shirts from blue to red will have delighted the supporters. Sitting in 12th in the Championship, they will be hoping that the news provides a boost for the club to climb the table and challenge for the play-offs between now and May. This weekend’s focus is obviously on the FA Cup, however, which can also be a catalyst, especially as they come into it having won only once in their last eight league games.

Having endured a pretty disappointing season, the Reading owners acted and sacked Nigel Adkins before replacing him with Steve Clarke, last month. It’s been a decent enough start for the new manager with two wins and two draw from his first six games in charge across all competitions. It would appear at the moment that the second half of this campaign is about building for next season under Clarke but stranger things have happened in the Championship in years gone by that it’s not beyond them to claw themselves into contention for the top six.

Russell Slade has not had the best rapport with the Cardiff City supporters in his short time at the club and his long term future would remain uncertain you would have to think. He has to focus his side on improve their results on the park and a home tie against another Championship side gives them a decent chance of progressing to the fifth round. They seen off League One side Colchester in the previous round and it could be the switch from league action will serve as a bit of a distraction once again.

Reading have already faced a Championship outfit in this year’s competition as they ran out 1-0 victors away to Huddersfield in the previous round. This serves as another opportunity for them to get the better of another team in their own division and continue the good start that they have made under Clarke, particularly away from home. Last weekend’s 2-1 reverse at Fulham was their first loss on the road under the new manager.

These two sides average well over 2.5 goals in the Championship this season so there is an expectation of goals between the two this afternoon. There have been 41 goals in 13 home games for Cardiff in the Championship and the same number of goals in the same number of Reading away games. The fact that there will be slightly less pressure on this game considering it’s in the Cup should only add to the prospect of goals.

Over 2.5 goals 20/23 @ Betvictor