Reading v Portsmouth! 6/3/2012

Reading have been in fantastic run of form which has seen them move to 3rd place in the championship and just 4 points off an automatic promotion spot.

Reading have won the last 6 games in a row and have won 11 of their last 13 games. Whereas Portsmouth’s financial problems off the field have seemed to have followed them on the field as they’re without a win in their last 6 games.

Reading’s home form has been fairly good this season (especially in recent weeks) and stands at won 9, drawn 4 and lost 4. Portsmouth’s away form has been pretty woeful with just the 2 wins, 5 draws and 10 losses.

I’m going to back the favourites again here as I look for 3 winning tips in a row and 3 outside winning bets in a row. My tips for this match will be reading to win at 1.52 with betfair and reading to win by 2 or more at 2.38 with sky.

My outside bet will be on Jason Roberts to score first at 5. Veteran striker Roberts joined from Blackburn Rovers in January and it looks to be a good move for both the player and the club as he has scored in his last 3 home matches.

Team News:

Reading:

Reading have a trio of injury doubts ahead of their Championship clash with Portsmouth. Matthew Connolly, Jimmy Kebe and Andy Griffin will all be monitored by the medical staff as they go in search of their seventh straight victory. On-loan full-back Connolly picked up an ankle injury during the 2-1 win at Millwall on Saturday and could miss out, with Shaun ****s ready to step in on the right of defence if necessary.
Kebe missed the trip to The Den with a knee problem but could return, although he will have to oust Hal Robson-Kanu, who netted a spectacular equaliser against the Lions, or captain Jobi McAnuff to regain his place in the starting line-up.
Griffin has been struggling with a hamstring injury of late and may not be available to manager Brian McDermott.

Portsmouth:

Luke Varney could be in the Portsmouth starting line-up for the trip to in-form Reading. Striker Varney returned from three months out with a knee injury as a substitute in Saturday's 3-1 defeat by Middlesbrough to boost Pompey's threadbare squad.
Midfielder David Norris came through his first 90 minutes since a double hernia operation unscathed and should keep his place. Veteran striker Kanu is still not fit due to a back problem and winger Kelvin Etuhu is set to miss out again with a slight hamstring tear.

Adam Webster, Aaron Mokoena and Dave Kitson are options for Michael Appleton should he wish to make further changes while the beleaguered Fratton Park boss is also on the look-out for a loan striker.

Last 6 Matches:

Reading:        WWWWWW
Portsmouth:        LDLLDL

Prediction:  Reading 3 – 0 Portsmouth

My Pick: Reading to win at 1.52 (10/19)
Reading to win by 2 at 2.38 (11/8)

Outside Bet: Jason to score first at 5 (4/1)
Reading to win 3-0 at 11.4 (21/2)

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