Reading v Fulham Betting Tips: Both teams set for attacking joy at Madjeski

Two teams looking towards the play-off places this season go head-to-head on Friday as Reading host Fulham at The Madejski Stadium.

Reading are one of the Championship’s in-form sides right now having won eight of their last ten matches which sees them sit in a lofty 3rd place. Manager Jaap Stam, who arrived in the summer, has transformed the way Reading play and, although it took a while to sort, The Royals are now reaping the benefits.

Even though they have changed their style to be more attacking, Reading’s goal tally is not that impressive with 33 goals so far this campaign – many teams in and around mid-table have scored this number of goals. Additionally, their defensive record is also not that great with 30 conceded in just 23 games. However, what stats cannot show is how teams have a knack for winning – which Stam’s men clearly do right now.

The Royals home form is certainly the backbone to their great run as demonstrated by the fact that they have won their last five matches at the Madejski Stadium and have lost just once all season. Although it looks like the automatic promotion spots will almost certainly go to Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United, if one of them slips up, Reading are quite capable of capitalising.

However, Reading face a Fulham team who are in pretty good shape themselves right now with no defeats in their last five and just one loss since 22nd October. This undefeated streak has put The Cottagers in 8th place and just four points outside the play-offs with a superior goal difference over 6th place Sheffield Wednesday.

Goals are certainly the order of the day when Fulham take to the field as shown by their stats of 40 scored (joint second best in the league) and 28 conceded – only Reading have a worse defensive record of the teams above them. Whilst manager Slavisa Jokanovic will undoubtedly be happy about his team’s forward play, their vulnerability at the back could cost them that much desired play-off place.

Another thing that the Serb will not be happy with is his side’s away form which has been very stop-start in recent weeks. The Cottagers were excellent on the road up until late October with no losses in six matches on the road, however, they have lost two of their last five on their travels.

Given these two sides’ rather weak defensive records, we should see a fair number of goals here. ‘Both Teams to Score & Over 2.5 Goals’ is the way to take advantage of this at a decent 11/10.

However, Reading are in the better form overall, particularly on home turf and I would certainly look at backing them to win on the ‘Draw No Bet’ market at 23/20.

See more Championship tips here.