Friday night football fever

We’re getting used to Friday nights watching the Royals. It’s another huge game landing this week against Cardiff and Reading need to bounce back from last week’s setback.

Watford 2-0 Reading was the scoreline, but looking at the stats you’d quickly agree that Reading deserved more from the game. More possession, more shots, more passes but crucially less goals. Watford held onto the clean sheet but the performance will have given plenty for Paunovic to think about. Two quick fire, sharply taken, goals ensured the victory for Watford and if Reading were that little bit more clinical in front of goal, it would have been a completely different story.

Losing to the team placed second in the Championship is no embarrassment, but it does put more pressure on the boys as they take on Cardiff who are  sitting just one place behind Reading. 

Reading are out of the playoff spots, for now, but a good consistent run to finish the season can put them back in the mix. 

A dip in form from Cardiff

Cardiff’s recent dip in form means they face Reading at the wrong time. Two defeats and a draw took the wind out of their sails but in this six pointer anything is possible. Reading will go into this match with their heads held high after the solid performance at Watford and as they seek to bounce back, Cardiff might struggle to contain the roaring Royals. 

Redemption is what Reading are after at the Madejski, a place Cardiff haven’t been able to conquer during their last six visits. As snow fell on the hallowed turf at the beginning of the week the Royals will look for home comforts to secure three important points.

 

❄️❄️❄️

From the @ReadingFC ground staff

There's no place we'd rather be pic.twitter.com/CyBrWiicFU

— Casumo Sports (@CasumoSports) April 12, 2021

Five league games remaining leaves little-to-no margin for error. Reading need to stay sharp, focused and need to gobble up chances when they come. It has been a long gruelling season but a good run now can ensure it ends in style.

Get Reading to beat Cardiff 1-0 at 23/4 or 6.75