FULHAM v READING
Saturday 13th May 2017 – Kickoff: 1730hrs
Football – England – Championship Betting Tips
This weekend marks the start of the Championship play-offs and my first pick features Fulham taking on Reading in the first leg at Craven Cottage on Saturday evening with the hosts looking to continue their recent blistering form.
Fulham have flown under the radar for the majority of their Championship campaign, but their profile has risen in recent weeks as they’ve hit a purple patch of form to grab a play-off place having racked up six wins from their last eight matches of the regular season, scoring plenty of goals in the process.
In fact, Fulham have scored 19 goals in these last eight matches, while their form at Craven Cottage stands at 10-8-5 45/32, and they finished the season level on goals scored (85) with promoted Newcastle United and 8th placed Norwich City. Look out for goalscoring midfielders Cairney (12 goals) and Johansen (11 goals) along with forward Martin (10 goals).
Visitors Reading finished in third place in the English second tier but eight points adrift of eventual runners-up Brighton as the Berkshire outfit prepare for their two-legged play-off semi-final with free-scoring Fulham on Saturday.
Reading’s successful season was largely built upon a solid defensive unit, especially at their Madejski Stadium, which perhaps is unsurprising given they’re managed by former Manchester United defender, Jaap Stam.
However, The Royals’ away results have been inconsistent throughout this campaign, and they’ll do well to contain a rampant Fulham at Craven Cottage on the back of their away record which currently stands at 10-2-11 33/48.
Fulham tend not to deal in draws as it’s either win or lose on the road, and I’ll back the former here this evening with Fulham taking a lead into the second leg.
Pick: Fulham to win @ 1.65 bet365
