Reading vs Bournemouth Prediction & Betting Tips - Championship

Prediction published on 26/01/2021, 09:22  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 26/01/2021 at 11:05 in Championship Prediction

These two clubs are both in the Championship promotion play-off positions. At the time of writing (Tuesday 26 January), Reading are fifth and their opponents Bournemouth in sixth. Reading are two points behind the second automatic promotion spot, but that gap is likely to widen with the teams placed second to fourth all playing in midweek. It's been an up and down season for Reading who won seven out of their first eight games to top the table. A terrible bad patch followed but they have recovered well and are still in with a good chance of promotion. They are unbeaten in their last five league games with three wins and two draws. This follows two losses in December to Norwich and Brentford, both above them in the table. Home form was also shaky last month with two defeats but since then, Reading have beaten Luton Town (recent victors over Bournemouth) and getting revenge on Coventry City, the first team to beat them this season. Overall, Reading have won eight out of 12 home league games, the other four being lost.

Bournemouth have an FA Cup tie to play on Tuesday evening before this return to league action. They are sixth in the table, the final promotion play-off position but like Reading, have previously topped the table. Regardless of how they get on against a League Two side on Tuesday, they come into this game in poor form. Just one point has been earned from their last three league games, including losing the last two, both without scoring. They are three points ahead of seventh place but that lead could disappear if Middlesbrough win their midweek league fixture. The gap between them and the second automatic promotion place could be seven points by the time this game begins. Away form has seen them win just one of the last five in the Championship with only two goals scored. This is another tough game for them and Reading can be backed to get a narrow win.