Reading v Chelsea Betting Preview
This could turn out to be a more interesting fixture than it may have looked when the fixture list was drawn up. Chelsea are third from the top of the Premier League heading into the midweek fixture list, while Reading are third from bottom. However, the Royals have been staging something of a revival while Chelsea have had a tough week or so in Cup competitions. Rafa Benitez is coming under increasing fire from the Chelsea faithful. A defeat at Reading suddenly doesn’t look as unthinkable as perhaps it should be.
Reading v Chelsea Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet Victor
Chelsea 1/2, Draw 15/4, Reading 11/2
Reading v Chelsea Recommended Bet:
All credit due to the Royals who have been scrapping for all their worth lately to try and pull clear of the drop zone. They have taken three wins from their last four matches, losing just one of their last five. It has been a great turnaround from them after losing seven in a row during November and December. Reading are now unbeaten in their last three home matches and could cause Chelsea some problems as they are bound to be confident. Their form at the Madejski this season isn’t that bad really, taking just three losses there. Their defence could still be a bit tighter, having conceded almost two goals per game on home soil this season, but they have steadied the ship. The Royals put up a good early season performance at Stamford Bridge when they took a 2-1 lead, before losing 4-2.
Reading have only won one of the eight Premier League matches this season in which they have scored first, and they have lost a league-high 20 points from winning positions this season. The Royals haven’t had that much luck against Chelsea in the Premier League, taking just one point from their five previous top flight meetings against the Blues. Adam Le Fondre has been in good form, scoring four from his last five shots. Reading have actually won their last four matches in a row in all competitions, sounding out a solid 4-0 home win over Sheffield United. There is a new air of confidence with the Royals at the moment. Still lodged in the relegation zone, they need to ride than confidence and turn it into precious points.
Take out their recent cup performances and Chelsea are sort of doing alright, having won six of their last eight Premier League matches, losing just one in the process. A lack of clear cut chances being created is their biggest downfall it seems, which seems odd given the talent that they have in their ranks. This is a tricky midweek game for Rafa Benitez now, who is probably happy that it isn’t at Stamford Bridge after scraping a draw at Brentford in the FA Cup on the weekend. But scoring hasn’t been too much of a problem for them in the Premier League lately, having failed to score only in one of their last nine. Their last game in the Premier League was an important victory over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, so they are still a threat. They have also been in good away form in the Premier League, winning their last four in a row and conceding just two.
Chelsea have recorded seven wins, two draws and just two losses on the road this season, scoring at a rate of just under two per game. Away from the Bridge, they have conceded at a rate of just one per game, so the stats points to a decent win for the Blues and they have scored in each of their last nine away games. Chelsea have scored the first goal of the game on more occasions than any other side in the EPL this term and they have also been awarded the most penalty kicks as well. The strengths are with Chelsea, but after a busy period where squad rotation has been minimal, there are hints that the Royals could get something out of this. Chelsea have drawn three of their last four matches and head into the fixture second best in terms of form.
For value and Chelsea’s failings at the moment, it may just be an occasion where its worth a long punt on Reading at home to take the win outright at 11/2 with online bookmaker Bet Victor.
Form
Reading WLWWWW, Chelsea LWDWDD
Stat Attack
Reading are on a four match winning streak in all competitions
The Royals have taken just one point from five previous EPL meetings with Chelsea
Chelsea have been awarded more penalties than anyone else in the top flight this term
Reading have lost a league high 20 points from winning positions this season
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