Reading vs Preston North End
14th August 1500hrs
Football – England – EFL Championship
Pick Draw & Under 2.5 Goals
Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 11/4 odds taken 1300 GMT, Friday 13 August
At the Madejski Stadium this Saturday, Veljko Paunovic’s Reading entertain Frankie McAvoy’s Preston North End. The pair kicked off their EFL Championship seasons with defeats last weekend. They seem pretty evenly matched on paper, although the Royals are the slight favourites to get the points on home soil. In our in-depth Reading vs Preston preview, we have the latest betting odds and tips.
Table of Contents
Reading Preview – Will the Royals suffer a third straight defeat?
Veljko Paunovic’s Reading made a stunning start to their 2020-21 season, winning seven and drawing one of their opening eight league matches to take control of the league early doors. However, they fell away as the season progressed, eventually finishing in seventh and missing out on the play-offs.
The Royals wanted to make a similar start to this term, but they kicked off their 2021-22 Championship season with a narrow loss at Stoke City. It was a thriller at the bet365 Stadium, but Sam Surridge’s goal for the Potters five minutes from time won it for the hosts.
Reading followed up that league defeat with a heavy loss in the EFL Cup on Tuesday. Fellow Championship side Swansea City left the Madejski Stadium with an easy 3-0 win. After back-to-back league and cup defeats, can the Royals bounce back in this one?
Preston North End Preview – Can the Lilywhites hit back from last weekend’s horror show?
Preston North End’s league season got off to the worst possible start last weekend. They welcomed EFL League One champions Hull City to Deepdale, with the Lilywhites taking the lead after just eight minutes. However, the Tigers ran riot after that, returning to East Yorkshire with a stunning 4-1 win.
Preston struck back with a much-needed victory in the cup on Tuesday night. They took on EFL League Two outfit Mansfield Town at Field Mill and made light work of the Stags. Scott Sinclair scored twice, and Emil Ris Jakobsen netted in a 3-0 win.
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Preston will still be hurting from last weekend’s embarrassing defeat. They restored some pride in midweek, but North End will really want to strike back in the Championship. Can they get the win in Berkshire this Saturday?
Reading vs Preston North End Betting Advice
In the reverse fixture last season, Preston ran out big 3-0 winners at the Madejski. Scott Sinclair, Emil Ris Jakobsen and Brad Potts got the goals in that one. At Deepdale, the matchup ended in a forgettable 0-0 draw. Prior to Preston’s win last term, Reading had won the previous five.
Key Facts – Reading vs Preston North End Betting Tip
- Reading failed to score in the two meetings with Preston last term
- Before last season’s results, the Royals had won five on the spin against North End
- Both teams were beaten on the opening weekend
Reading have made a poor start, losing two out of two and shipping six goals along the way. Preston are in 23rd after last weekend’s heavy loss, but we can see the Lilywhites holding Reading to a draw in Berkshire this Saturday. Back the draw and under 2.5 goals at 11/4.
Scott Sinclair, who was on target at the Madejski last term, hit a double in the midweek win at Mansfield. The former Manchester City man could be a wildcard for Preston this season. Sinclair is priced at 7/2 to follow up his brace with a goal in this one.
The best betting odds for Reading vs Preston North End
Reading to win: 6/5 at Bet365
Draw: 11/5 at Bet365
Preston North End to win: 5/2 at Bet365
