Reading vs Cardiff Prediction & Betting Tips - FA Cup

Prediction published on 21/01/2020, 06:43  by James | Modified on 21/01/2020 at 07:43 in FA Cup Prediction

Two Championship clubs are set to duke it out in the FA Cup this weekend when Reading host Cardiff at the Madejski. The fourth round fixture will give Cardiff an opportunity to get revenge for the 3-0 hiding they received on their last trip to the stadium. George Puscas got a brace in that match back in August. He has only scored four times since, three coming in the form of a hat-trick in an away win over Wigan. As Puscas will attest, the Championship is a tricky division. The Bluebirds have certainly had difficulty adjusting to their first season back in the second tier following last season's relegation. They are 13th in the table, six points off a play-off spot. Reading are a further three points behind in 16th place. There's plenty of room between Reading and the relegation zone (12 points) so that is not an immediate concern. 

Both teams required a replay to get to this stage of the competition. Reading overcame Blackpool after a second attempt and Cardiff edged a 4-3 thriller at Carlisle. The home side are the form team of the two competitors. Based off of their last eight matches, they have the joint-best points total in the second tier alongside three other teams. Although they have failed to win either of their last two matches, it's still better than Cardiff's record of one win in six games. Reading are unbeaten in four home matches in all competitions while Cardiff have only won two of their last six trips on the road. With this match preceding a reverse fixture in the Championship the following week, both teams will be determined to win. Our money is on Reading to continue their good home form with a victory in the cup.