Eastleigh vs Reading Prediction & Betting Tips - FA Cup

Prediction published on 01/12/2023, 09:37  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 03/12/2023 at 00:30 in FA Cup Prediction

Non-leaguers Eastleigh bid to cause an FA Cup second round upset by beating League One side Reading. The home side are 11th in the National League, while Reading are 23rd in League One. Although two divisions separate these sides at present, it's not out of the question they could both be playing in League Two next season. Eastleigh are only five points behind the final promotion play-off place but from a game extra. The Spitfires beat fellow National League side Boreham Wood 5-1 at home in the first round. That took them into round two of the FA Cup for the first time since the 2019-20 season. Their last appearance in the FA Cup third round was in the 2016-17 season. Their home record this season has seen them win six league games with only two defeats. Seven of their last eight home fixtures have been won and seven of the last nine have seen both teams score.

Reading were relegated from the Championship last season and in trouble in League One this term. The Royals have been given a four-point deduction but even those points they'd still be in the bottom four. At present, they are five points from safety and only won five of their 18 league games this season. Last weekend saw them beat Carlisle United 5-1 at home, their third straight win. Round one was a thriller as they beat MK Dons at home. Away form has been a big problem this season with eight of their last ten lost, though they did recently win at Wycombe Wanderers. A cup upset is possible but the safest bet looks to be both teams to score.