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All odds are the best available and taken from Oddschecker.com on December 19th.
Promotion
| December 19 | November 18 | July 28 | |
| QPR | 2/7 | 4/9 | 2/1 |
| LEICESTER | 6/5 | 6/5 | 4/1 |
| DERBY | 2/1 | 10/1 | 8/1 |
| BURNLEY | 2/1 | 9/4 | 16/1 |
| READING | 7/2 | 7/2 | 3/1 |
| NOTT'M FOREST | 5/1 | 3/1 | 4/1 |
| LEEDS | 6/1 | 9/1 | 7/1 |
| BRIGHTON | 8/1 | 12/1 | 5/1 |
| WIGAN | 9/1 | 9/2 | 9/2 |
BOLD = Odds shortening
As far as Reading are concerned the bookies have us just as likely to go up as we were a month ago. Since that last bookie watch we've won three, drawn one and lost one but few bookies will have been scared given the nature of those performances and the fact our defeat came against Bournemouth.
Elsewhere and QPR are still heavy favourites to go up, though Harry Redknapp's side have drifted ever so slightly after a spell that's seen them lose to Doncaster and draw with Blackburn.
The big climbers are Derby who have moved all the way up third favourites at 2/1, having been a distant 10/1 a month ago. Burnley have also drifted in as the bookmakers are forced to treat their early season form a bit more seriously. Wigan are the big losers, though odds of 9 to 1 are tempting given the depth of their squad and the fact they'll be able to focus a bit more as their European adventure is over.
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The Title
| December 19 | November 18 | July 28 | |
| QPR | 10/11 | 5/4 | 6/1 |
| LEICESTER | 5/1 | 9/2 | 14/1 |
| DERBY | 9/1 | 50/1 | 33/1 |
| BURNLEY | 10/1 | 8/1 | 80/1 |
| READING | 16/1 | 20/1 | 9/1 |
Reading have drifted in a tad in their title odds, as they show they're capable of at least staying in touch. I don't personally see a lot of value with odds of 16/1 but given our second half pedigree, stranger things have happened!
QPR are now odds on for the title, with Leicester closest at 5/1. If I can give any betting advice (and given my lack of a mansion/summer home in the Caribbean it's not worth much...) Derby's odds demonstrate exactly why a speculative early season punt on a few teams to win the title can represent good value, as they've seen their odds plummet to 9/1 from a whopping 50/1 just a month ago.
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Relegation
| December 19 | November 18 | July 28 | |
| BARNSLEY | 1/2 | 11/13 | 11/10 |
| YEOVIL | 8/11 | 1/3 | 11/10 |
| DONCASTER | 11/8 | 7/4 | 5/2 |
| SHEFFIELD WEDS | 9/4 | 5/2 | 9/2 |
| READING | 750/1 | 250/1 | 40/1 |
Think that Anton has done a runner and we'll be forced to sell every player and fight relegation? If so you can get 750/1 on Reading going down right now at Bet Victor.
In the more serious stakes, Barnsley are the favourites for the drop in a market that's seeing subtle shifts rather than any dramatic changes.
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Golden Boot & Others
If you still think one Reading striker is going to cut loose and fire in 20 goals after Christmas... well you're more optimistic than me or the money men.
Seven goal Adam Le Fondre remains the shortest odds of a Reading player at 50/1, well behind Ross McCormack who had 16 to his name and is rated a 9/4 shot. Jordan Rhodes is next at 4/1 with Charlie Austin 11/2 and Danny Ings 8/1.
Hal Robson Kanu is out at 100/1 while Big Pav is 150/1.