Reading vs Stoke City
14 March 1500hrs
Football – England – EFL Championship
Pick Away Win & BTTS
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 5/1 odds taken 1800 GMT, Thursday 12 March
Mark Bowen’s Reading and Michael O’Neill’s Stoke City go head-to-head at the Madejski Stadium in the EFL Championship at the weekend. The Potters are just three points above the relegation zone and still have plenty of work to do in the race for survival. This one really could go either way in Berkshire. We have the latest betting odds and best predictions for this Championship clash.
Table of Contents
Reading Preview – Can the Royals make it three wins on the spin?
Reading have been in patchy form since the turn of the year, but Mark Bowen’s boys have won three of their last five in the Championship. After two defeats, Reading have secured back-to-back wins, beating Barnsley 2-0 at the Madejski Stadium before winning 3-1 against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s last weekend.
Reading’s recent 2-0 home win over Barnsley last time out was their first league victory at the Madejski since beating Queens Park Rangers 1-0 on Boxing Day. The Royals have been poor at home once again, with only Barnsley and Hull City picking up fewer home points in this season’s Championship up until now.
However, after a couple of relegation battles in the past few seasons, Reading will be pleased with their lofty league position at present. Mark Bowen’s boys are currently in 14th place, nine points clear of 22nd-place Charlton Athletic. Can they move even further away with three points at home on Saturday?
Stoke City Preview – Will the Potters extend unbeaten run to five?
It’s been another miserable year for Stoke City, who have spent all season in the bottom half of the Championship table. Overall, the Potters have won 12, drawn six and lost 19 of 37 league matches. Only Luton Town, who are 23rd, have lost more games than City to this point.
However, Stoke have found some good form at just the right time. Since losing back-to-back games against Preston North End and Queens Park Rangers last month, Stoke have won two and drawn two of their following four, beating Cardiff City and Hull at home and drawing at Blackburn Rovers and Luton.
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Stoke put on their best performance of the season last Saturday, thumping Hull 5-1 at the bet365 Stadium. Nick Powell and Sam Clucas were on target twice, while Tyrese Campbell also got on the scoresheet. Can City follow that up with victory at Reading at the weekend?
Reading vs Stoke City Betting Advice
It was a pretty forgettable game when Stoke and Reading met at the bet365 Stadium in the reverse match back in December, ending in a goalless draw. In fact, each of the last two meetings have ended 0-0, while the previous three have been drawn. Reading have not beaten Stoke since 2006.
Key Facts – Reading vs Stoke City Betting Tip
- Reading have won their last two in the Championship
- Stoke are unbeaten in four, winning two and drawing two
- Four of the last five Reading v Stoke meetings have ended in draws
Both teams have been in decent nick of late, but Stoke’s need for the three points is far greater than Reading’s. With that in mind, I’m tipping the Potters to leave the Madejski with a vital victory. Have a punt on the Stoke win and both teams to score at 5/1.
The best betting odds for Reading vs Stoke City
Reading to win: 9/5 at Bet365
Draw: 11/5 at Bet365
Stoke City to win: 8/5 at Bet365
