Reading vs Cardiff City
9th April 1500hrs
Football – England – EFL Championship
Pick 1-1 Draw
Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 5/1 odds taken 1105 GMT, Friday 8 April
Paul Ince’s Reading take on Steve Morison’s Cardiff City at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in the EFL Championship this Saturday. The Royals’ need for the points is greater, but the Bluebirds boss will be demanding a big response from his players after their humiliating derby defeat last weekend. Who will come out on top in this fascinating fixture in Berkshire? Take a look at the latest odds and best tips.
Table of Contents
Reading Preview – Can the Royals keep their momentum ticking?
It has been a tough season for Reading, off and on the field, but the Royals have done just enough to keep themselves afloat. The Berkshire club moved further away from the drop zone in midweek, and they should be a Championship club next season.
Reading picked up a crucial home win on Tuesday night, which lifted them eight points clear of 22nd. Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored an own goal in the 63rd minute to gift the Royals a 2-1 victory over Stoke City.
To be fair to Paul Ince, the former England international has done a fine job in testing circumstances since arriving at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Reading are unbeaten in four, winning two and drawing two. Can they extend the run to five on Saturday?
Cardiff City Preview – Can the Bluebirds bounce back?
Cardiff City have shown a massive improvement since Steve Morison took over. The Bluebirds were involved in the relegation battle when Mick McCarthy left, but they moved well clear after a string of good results from January.
However, they had the worst result of their season last time out, losing at home to Swansea City in the South Wales derby. The Bluebirds were thumped 4-0 by their rivals, with the Swans becoming the first team to do the league double in this fixture in the process.
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Morison and his side will still be licking their wounds from the derby debacle, but the only way to put things right is to respond with a good performance in Berkshire on Saturday. The bookies are offering 11/5 for an away win.
Reading vs Cardiff City Betting Advice
Reading edged the meeting at the Cardiff City Stadium back in October. Cardiff were the better side, but McCarthy’s men were punished by some sloppy defending and poor finishing. Former Bluebird Junior Hoilett hit the only goal of the game in South Wales after 38 minutes.
Reading have a good recent record over Cardiff, unbeaten in 12 league and cup games (six wins, six draws). You have to go back to November 2015 for City’s last triumph in this fixture.
Key Facts – Reading vs Cardiff City Betting Tip
- Reading are unbeaten in four
- Cardiff were hammered 4-0 at home by rivals Swansea last time out
- The Royals have not lost to the Bluebirds for seven years
These two teams have been pretty evenly matched in recent times, with four of the last six finishing level in normal time. The teams played out a 1-1 draw when they last met at this ground, and a repeat scoreline on Saturday is generously priced at 5/1.
Reading have opened the scoring in five of their last six at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. You can get 8/11 for the home side to score first in this one.
The best betting odds for Reading vs Cardiff City
Reading to win: 5/4 at Bet365
Draw: 9/4 at Bet365
Cardiff City to win: 11/5 at Bet365
