Nottingham Forest v Reading Betting Tips: Fans should see a few goals at City Ground

These two teams have vastly different aims at opposite ends of the Championship going into the final straight. Nottingham Forest are simply looking to survive whilst Reading hope to keep hold of their play-off spot.

Forest have been on a desperate run in recent times with just one win in their last eight. The arrival of new manager Mark Warburton has done little to stop this plight and Forest now sit just one point above the drop-zone.

The Reds do have one of the best goal-scoring records of all the teams in the relegation dogfight, however, they have misplaced their shooting boots recently and have subsequently scored just twice (both in the same match) in their last four. Forest have turned it around defensively and have not conceded more than one goal in each of their last five games but, unfortunately for them, their lack of potency in the final third stops them from picking up results if they do concede.

If anything will keep Warburton’s side up, it will be their home form. Although they are not great at the City Ground having recorded just one victory in their last four, it is much better than their away form which has seen them fail to win since 25th November. Reading are of course a good side but Forest have proved recently that they can be competitive against the big teams at home, picking up results against Brighton, Derby and Huddersfield since early March.

Aside from a shock 7-1 loss to Norwich City a couple of weeks back, Reading have been on a fine run with five wins from their last six games. This has thrust them up to third in the table and, although they are only six points ahead of 7th spot, they look like they will be in the play-offs.

Jaap Stam’s men have scored a lot of goals throughout the season with 61 in 43 matches. Additionally, they have scored at least twice in all but two of their last six games. Defence has been a problem throughout the season though, as demonstrated by their Goals Against record which is the worst in the top six whilst they have also failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last four.

The Royals had been having a torrid time on their travels until recently. Their latest win away at Aston Villa put a stop to the rot which saw Reading lose four of their previous five matches away from the Madejski Stadium. This victory at Villa could reignite Reading’s confidence on the road.

Although Reading have been on a good run, these sorts of matches often throw up surprises, hence why the bookmakers have the away side as the underdogs at 2/1. However, one certainty is that there will be goals. Forest may not be able to score for toffee at the moment but, if they have a chance against one side in this division, it’s Reading and their dodgy defence. Furthermore, we know that Reading can score goals against any team. ‘Over 2.5 Goals’ – a bet that has landed in seven of this pair’s last ten combined – is worth a go.

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