Score predictions - Reading home

Despite 6 points being deducted, and barring any further deductions or an uncharacteristic surge in form by a few of the sides below them, Reading will be playing League 1 football again next season. A win for them at Oakwell on Saturday, and dropped points for Cheltenham and Port Vale should make sure. Despite our home form, and Reading's decent form over the last 5 games, we're 5/6 favourites to take the points here, and move a step closer to securing a play-off spot.


It is Reading's away form which means they're still mathematically at risk of relegation at this late stage in the season. They've amassed just 17 points in 21 games, the 4th worst in the division. And whilst their overall form has seen them win 3 of their last 5 (losing only to Bolton), their away form reads as 3 wins from the last 12. 3 of their 4 defeats away from home in that time have come against the divisions top 3 sides, and there are credible draws with Peterborough, Lincoln and Oxford in that time too. Its worth noting that they started the season with 8 straight away defeats, which has skewed both their away form and league position greatly, suggesting Reading have overcome the troubles they had from pre-season, at least on the field, and are now a better side than the league table suggests.


At Oakwell, the Reds haven't recorded a victory over the Royals this century. A 3-0 Worthington Cup win in 98, courtesy of a Darren Barnard free-kick and Jan Aage-Fjortoft second half brace is pie last victory on home soil against Reading. Our last home league victory, also by 3 goals to 0 came during the 5 match winning streak of our Premier League promotion season; a Darren Sheridan thunderb@stard (if I remember right) and an Andy Liddell brace securing the points on that occasion. We're now 10 without a win at home to Reading (5 draws, 5 defeats) though we have drawn the last 4 meetings between the two sides at Oakwell. Prior to this century, our home record vs Reading was actually quite good, winning 19 of the 30 meetings in the 20th century, and only losing 6. We were particularly strong against the Royals between 64 and 87, losing just 1 of the 15 meetings in that time.


Its no coincidence that the Royals season began to pick up when their two big summer signings, Sam Smith and Harvey Knibbs settled in the side, having not been sanctioned to play at the start of the season. The two former Cambridge stars have scored 22 between them, with Knibbs also weighing in with 6 assists. They're the obvious threat for the Royals, along with experienced midfielder, Lewis Wing; he's another player who has vast experience at this level, despite still only being 27. Despite being potent in front of goal, Reading have also shipped 63 goals, which is the joint 4th worst in the division. It has been a baptism of fire for 18 year old centre half, Tyler Bindon, who is in his first full season as a senior player.


Referee Seb Stockbridge has taken charge of the reds twice already this season, both fixtures against Wigan Athletic. Looking back at our opinions of him previously, he was panned for his performance at Wigan (despite an early red card for the Latics) and described as card happy when we faced them at home. He's averaged 5 cards per game this season so far, though Charlie Hughes's red card at the DW back in August is his only dismissal so far. Primarily a league 1 and 2 referee (though he has taken charge of a game of ours in the Championship previously), he's never refereed a Reading game.


Given Reading's form, and recent history at Oakwell, and our own form, I'm not very optimistic for this one. Given both sides leak plenty of goals, but aren't too bad in front of goal, I'm going for a 2-2 draw, with McAtee and Phillips on target for the reds.

 

Trying to remain positive and going for a 3-1 win

 

Trying to see were the next victory will be coming from hard to see us beating Reading on Saturday. I can only a loss by 1 goal

 

1-3

 

0-1 unfortunately.

 

1-0 to the visitors. More boos than Oddbins

 

0-0 always used to be against Reading

 

I'm getting 3-0 coming through, but the spirits aren't telling me which way.

If it's them, all 3 goals will be early and there will be 4000 in the ground for the 2nd half.

If it's us, it will be Cole with 2 in the 1st half and Phillips sealing it in the 2nd. Collins hailed a genius and BBS talk all evening will be about whether we can retain him.

Getting no feeling about Lotto numbers but bonus Ball will be 22.

 

0-2

 

Not really optimistic for this one, best I think we’ll get is a draw, probably 1-1. If not 2-1 defeat

 

1-2

 

3 nil reds.

 

The club badly needs a convincing win but I’m expecting another defeat, a toxic atmosphere and probably a half empty ground by the 75th minute

 

2-1 to the Reds.

 

Head says : Defeat and disaster


Heart says : 2-1 and into the play offs we go

COYR

 

Having watched the last few games it would seem it would be silly to back us to win.

Saying that, ever the eternal optimist and happy clapper that I am, I will go for the win. 2-1 with us going 2-0 up before a late goal makes it nervy. If we go behind in this game then I fear it will be pretty toxic from the stands and would take some real determination to come back. Let’s get the first goal and not defend like we’ve never seen a football in our lives.

 

Colliers 2 Biscuit men 2

 

1-1 (Phillips)

 

Another embarrassing defeat