Reading vs Middlesbrough
20th February 1500hrs
Football – England – EFL Championship
Pick Home Win
Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 11/4 odds taken 1011 GMT, Friday 19 February
Veljko Paunovic’s Reading and Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough lock horns in an intriguing EFL Championship fixture at the Madejski Stadium this Saturday. Both sides picked up important wins in midweek, but will we see a winner in Berkshire at the weekend? The Royals are the slight favourites, but Boro will fancy their chances of returning home with a positive result. We have the latest and greatest betting odds and predictions.
Table of Contents
Reading Preview – Can the Royals build on the midweek win in Bristol?
Reading got back on track with an important win at Bristol City in midweek. Lucas Joao opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, with Michael Morrison doubling their advantage just before half time. After taking one point from their previous three, the three points at Ashton Gate was just what the doctor ordered.
Veljko Paunovic has had a great first season at Reading. The Royals have struggled in recent years, but Paunovic has turned the Berkshire club into genuine promotion contenders this term. Overall, Reading have taken 51 points from 30 games, spending most of the season in the top six.
After Tuesday’s much-needed win over Bristol City, can Reading build on that this weekend? The Royals have lost their last two at home, but Paunovic’s boys are the 29/20 favourites to win this one.
Middlesbrough Preview – Warnock’s boys to come up short at the Madejski?
Middlesbrough made a solid start to their season under Neil Warnock, looking like promotion candidates. However, since starting 2021 with a win at Wycombe Wanderers, Boro have lost five of their last eight in the Championship.
After taking just one point from a possible 15, Middlesbrough picked up a massive win over Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night. Boro went a goal down early on at the Riverside Stadium, but Warnock’s men hit back through goals by Duncan Watmore and Ashley Fletcher to secure a precious 2-1 win.
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Boro’s 2-1 loss at Pride Park last weekend was their first away league defeat since December. However, they have picked up just four Championship away wins all season. The bookies have the visitors priced at 19/10 to win this one.
Reading vs Middlesbrough Betting Advice
At the Riverside Stadium back in October, these two teams played out a tense 0-0 draw. However, Boro did the double over the Royals last season, winning 1-0 at home and 2-1 away. Middlesbrough have an excellent recent record over Reading, picking up seven wins and one draw from the last eight.
Key Facts – Reading vs Middlesbrough Betting Tip
- Reading have not beaten Middlesbrough since October 2015
- The Royals have lost their last two at home
- Boro’s win in midweek was their first Championship success in six
On paper, Reading and Middlesbrough seem pretty well matched. As we touched on, the game at the Riverside earlier in the season ended in a goalless draw, and Saturday’s fixture will surely be another close encounter. Having said that, we can see Reading nicking a narrow win on home soil. Back the hosts to come out on top at 11/4.
Lucas Joao has been in red-hot form for Reading this season, scoring a staggering 20 league and cup goals, with 17 of those coming in the Championship. The Portuguese scored in the 2-0 win at Bristol City on Tuesday, and Joao is available at 7/4 to notch anytime in this one.
The best betting odds for Reading vs Middlesbrough
Reading to win: 29/20 at Bet365
Draw: 11/5 at Bet365
Middlesbrough to win: 19/10 at Bet365
