Reading v Cardiff City Betting Tips – EFL Championship, 18th August 12.00pm
This round of EFL Championship fixtures conclude on Sunday afternoon at the Madejski Stadium, as Reading host Cardiff City. The Royals have lost their opening two league games, so Jose Gomes’ boys will be desperate for a positive result from this one. As for the Bluebirds, they got off the mark with a late win over Luton Town in their last outing. The home team could do with a win, but Cardiff head to Berkshire as the 23/20 favourites.
Reading v Cardiff City Betting Odds*
Reading 5/2
Draw 9/4
Cardiff City 23/20
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on August 16th, 2019 at 17:30 p.m.)
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Table of Contents
Reading News and Form – Another tough test for the Royals?
It’s been a testing start for Reading, who go into Sunday’s clash with zero points to their name. The Royals were beaten at home by Sheffield Wednesday on the opening weekend, with Yakou Meite getting their only goal.
Lucas Joao, who scored against Reading for Sheffield Wednesday, netted on his Reading debut at Hull City last weekend. Unfortunately for Gomes and his side, it was only a consolation strike, as the Royals were on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline at the KCOM Stadium.
There was finally something to shout about for the Reading supporters in midweek, as the club picked up a League Cup win at EFL League One outfit Wycombe Wanderers. After a 1-1 draw in normal time, the Royals went on to win 4-2 on penalties at Adams Park.
Reading struggled at the Madejski Stadium last season, winning just eight Championship games on home soil. Meanwhile, only Bolton Wanderers (16), Ipswich Town (20) and Rotherham United (29) – who were all relegated to the third tier – picked up fewer home points than Reading’s 30.
Reading v Cardiff City Head to Head
In the 2017-18 Championship season, both matches ended in draws
The Bluebirds have not beaten Reading since November 2015
Cardiff’s last win at the Madejski Stadium was back in 2011
Three of the last five meetings have finished level
- Reading picked up just 30 home points last season
- The Royals have lost both league games so far this term
- Cardiff won four times on the road in last season’s Premier League
Cardiff City News and Form – Bluebirds to soar to back-to-back wins?
Cardiff City were very disappointing in their opening Championship matchup of the season. Neil Warnock’s boys were involved in an enthralling game against Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium, eventually crashing to a 3-2 defeat in Greater Manchester.
However, the Bluebirds struck back with a home win last weekend. It was a tough affair against Championship new boys Luton Town at the Cardiff City Stadium, but Aden Flint, who was making his home debut, netted the opening goal seven minutes into the second half. Cardiff conceded with four minutes left, but Isaac Vassell came off the bench to head home a 96th-minute winner on his debut.
The Welsh club were relegated from the Premier League last season, but they claimed some notable away victories along the way. Cardiff picked up wins at Leicester City, Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion. Then on the final day of the season, two Nathaniel Mendez-Laing goals gave the Bluebirds a memorable 2-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Cardiff are one of the big boys in this division with Warnock at the helm. Their style may not be the prettiest, but the Bluebirds boss knows exactly what it takes to gain promotion to the Premier League. City will be hoping to make it six points from a possible nine with a win in Berkshire on Sunday.
Reading v Cardiff City Tips & Odds
Cardiff City to win at 23/20
Isaac Vassell to score anytime at 15/8
* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on August 16th, 2019 at 17:33 p.m.)
Reading v Cardiff City Predictions
Cardiff City win: The Bluebirds got off the mark last weekend when they beat Luton at home with a last-gasp winner. Warnock’s boys will want to make it two wins in a row with victory at Reading on Sunday. The Royals, who have had a miserable couple of years, have kicked off their campaign in poor fashion. Although the hosts will be desperate for a result, I fancy Cardiff to claim an away win (23/20) this weekend.
Isaac Vassell was Cardiff’s hero last time out, coming off the bench to score a crucial winner in South Wales. The attacker had a frustrating time with injuries at Birmingham City, and he will be keen to make amends during his time in the Welsh capital. Have a punt on Cardiff’s new No. 10 to score anytime at the weekend at 15/8.
