Blackpool vs Reading
30th July 1500hrs
Football – England – EFL Championship
Pick Home Win & BTTS
Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 3/1 odds taken 2216 GMT, Thursday 28 July
Blackpool and Reading square off at Bloomfield Road this Saturday on the opening weekend of the EFL Championship season. After Neil Critchley left for Villa Park, Michael Appleton is the new man in charge of the Tangerines. Can Appleton get off to a winning start against Paul Ince’s Royals this weekend? The home team are the clear favourites – we hunt down the latest odds and give you our top tips in our in-depth betting preview.
Table of Contents
Blackpool Preview – Appleton to start with three points?
Blackpool had a fine first season back in the Championship after winning the EFL League One play-offs at the end of the 2020-21 campaign. The Tangerines kept themselves away from danger and finished in a respectable 16th position. They won 16, lost 18 and drew 12.
Neil Critchley has opted to leave the club and join Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa, so Michael Appleton has been given his chance in the Championship with Blackpool. The 46-year-old had previously managed Pool back in 2012 but lasted just 11 league games. He will be hoping for a better spell this time around.
First and foremost, survival is the priority for Blackpool this season. Can the Lancashire outfit kick off the 2022-23 campaign with a big three points?
Reading Preview – Can the Royals leave Lancashire with a positive result?
Reading will be glad to see the back of what was a pretty dire 2021-22 season. They did manage to stay up in the end, with Paul Ince coming in an doing a decent job at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. However. this could be another tough season for the Berkshire side.
Reading survived by just four points last term. Despite losing the final three and taking just one point from the last 12 on offer, Ince’s side just did enough. Reading suffered 25 defeats, though, with just Barnsley and Peterborough United – who were both relegated – losing more.
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This will be a tricky test, but can Rovers return to Berkshire with something to show for their efforts? The away win is priced at 13/5.
Blackpool vs Reading Betting Advice
This corresponding fixture last season ended in a thumping 4-1 win for Pool. Rovers took the lead at Bloomfield Road, but goals from Marvin Ekpiteta, Gary Madine, Shayne Lavery and Josh Bowler secured a stunning victory for the Seasiders.
Blackpool also won at the Select Car Leasing Stadium last term, edging a five-goal thriller in October 2021. They were two goals down with 20 minutes to go, but efforts from Jerry Yates (2) and Owen Dale turned the game on its head.
Key Facts – Blackpool vs Reading Betting Tip
- Blackpool scored seven goals against the Royals last season
- Reading have won just one of the last five meetings
- The Berkshire club finished down in 21st place last term
Blackpool did the double over Reading in the 2021-22 campaign, scoring seven times to boot. We fancy Appleton’s side to get the better of the Royals here – the home victory is available at 19/20.
Despite losing both games, Reading still managed to net three goals against the Seasiders last season. With that in mind, check out the solid odds of 3/1 for the home win and both teams to score on Saturday.
The best betting odds for Blackpool vs Reading
Blackpool to win: 19/20 at Bet365
Draw: 13/5 at Bet365
Reading to win: 13/5 at Bet365
