Reading Preview & Betting Tips

[David Lenton 1]

Reading come into this home tie against Chelsea having picked up the same amount of points (10) from their last 5 games as the Blues. They've won their last two against West Brom and Newcastle but face a much tougher challenge when Chelsea come to town.

Brentford very nearly ended Chelsea's FA Cup run last weekend in a thrilling 2-2 draw and Rafa will very much want to get back to winning ways starting with this fixture. His tenue as Chelsea boss is looking less and less likely to continue beyond the end of the season as every weekend of fixtures pass.

The Blues do however have one the top away records in the Premier League this season having picked up a total of 7 wins on the road coupled with 2 draws and 2 defeats. The prospect of playing Reading at Reading shouldn't be be worrying one for Chelsea supporters.

Form

Chelsea - WLWDW

Reading - DWLWW

*Form is taken from Premier League games only.

Previous Line Ups

Reading - Federici, Shorey, Mariappa, Morrison, Kelly, Karacan, Leigertwood, Robson-Kanu, Le Fondre, Hunt, McCleary

Chelsea - Turnbull, Ivanovic, Cole, Cahill, Terry, Bertrand, Ramires, Lampard, Oscar, Marin, Torress

*Previous line ups taken from FA Cup fixtures last weekend.

Team News

Reading come into the game against Chelsea without goalkeeper McCarthly who is out with a shoulder injury. Jason Roberts will also miss out with an injured hip.

Robson-Kanu is a doubt and will face a late fitness test before he can be either ruled in or out of the game.

Chelsea are still without Obi Mikel and Victor Moses who continue international duty in the African Nations. Romeu is still out and will be for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.

Cech and Luiz will face late fitness tests to determine their level of involvement.

Reading v Chelsea Betting Tips

Im almost certain that Chelseas 2-2 result with Brentford last time out in the FA Cup killed plenty of accumulators last weekend. The Blues owe the general punting public a result and I think theyll come through for them tonight.

Given their awesome away record I'm feeling pretty confident that Chelsea will pick up all three points against Reading but they are only priced a 1/2 to win the game which looks a bit short to be backing.

I do however like the look of the half time/full time market and a Chelsea/Chelsea result. Basically this bet means that Chelsea will be winning at both half time and full time. This is priced up at best odds of 5/4 with BetVictor (full Betvictor Review here) and looks a solid prospect given Chelsea's hot away form this season.

The other bet I like the look of here is for the game to have exactly 2-3 goals which is priced best at 21/20 with Bet65 (Bet365 review here). I can't see this game only having the one goal, although I don't see Reading finding the net, and I can't help but feel a 0-2 or 0-3 scoreline is on the cards.

Tips Summary

- Chelsea/Chelsea in half time/full time market at 5/4 with BetVictor.

- Exactly 2-3 goals at 21/20 with Bet365.

By David Lenton

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