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With a 1-0 loss to Wigan during midweek, Reading become ever more inconsistent and difficult to predict. This weekend sees the Royals travel to Portman Road to take on high flying Ipswich who are having an excellent season sitting in 4th, just 3 points behind top spot. The Royals travel to Ipswich with strong away form in recent weeks, however, they remain the outsider at 4.00. Ipswich are strong favourites, with the bookies seeing them priced up at 2.15, whilst the draw option is available at a rather attractive 3.50. Ipswich have the stingiest home defence in the Championship this season, having only conceded 9 home league goals all season, and as of yet have only seen one team score twice at Portman Road (where Huddersfield scalped a 2-2 draw in mid October).
Reading, being set up to counter attack are probably in the ideal situation going into the game, as Ipswich will aim to dominate the flow and pace of the game. Reading to win 1-0, if the defence is on a "good day" at 10.50 is worth considering. In total this season, Ipswich have had 6 games over 2.5 goals at home out of 15, with nine going under. Following on from the form book of Reading playing much less open football than earlier this season, Under 2.5 goals available at 1.75 is worth considering for this weekend. Daryl Murphy has been a machine this season in front of goal for Ipswich with goals coming from mainly inside the area, he is available at 5.50 to score first, however, with the "inconsistency" of the Reading back line, espescially dealing with balls into the box, I prefer McGoldrick at 6.50 to score first.
Recommended Bets:
1) Ipswich to win & Under 2.5 Goals @ 4.20 - Ipswich have a mean defence at Portman Road, and I can see them continiuing the theme this weekend with a resolute performance against Reading and will put the Royals to the sword, who may have other things on their minds (Bradford City anyone...!).
2) David McGoldrick to score first @ 6.50 - Reading have been a bit of a shambles in the past with balls dropping into the box, and I can see McGoldrick harming them and getting on the end of one, despite Murphy being more prolific, McGoldrick could profit from a somewhat unfocussed defence.
3) Reading to win 1-0 @ 10.50 - If Reading are to win this game, it will require the defence to not make any mistakes. However, they have been playing a good counter attacking style away from home, and could cause Ipswich issues going forwards if they can create an oppurtunity for themselves.
#GambleAware