Reading looking to get into the play offs over Christmas. Brighton visit on Boxing Day

By Marc Owen-Banks on 22/12/2011 22:05

 Reading are in great form coming into the festive program and will be looking to maintain their form to exit 2011 in the top six places in the Npower Championship. With a recent 3-0 victory over second placed West Ham still fresh in the memory and a great 1-0 win at Elland Road versus Leeds last weekend, any continuation of that form could see them leapfrog the latter and replace them in the play off positions before the year is out.

Arguably they could be meeting Brighton & Hove Albion just at the right time as Gus Poyet’s side come into this match off the back of consecutive defeats against Middlesbrough and Burnley. Confidence will be on the Royals side although Brighton only sit one point behind the home side in the current table.

This may be light on the goals front. Brightons last four games have been settled by a single goal to nil one way or another, and I have documented on more than one occasion this season the fact that Reading do not score first half goals. UNDER 2.5 Goals can be had at 1.73 with Victor Chandler. I will predict again that the second half is likely to have more goals scored than the first as a bet option, 11/10 the price. If you fancy Reading to win this game to nil, 6/4 is the best we find, but a massive 7/1 for Brighton to do the same! Reading have not failed to score in seven consecutive home games though.

The two sides have not met since 2005 when Reading handed out a 5-1 beating to the Seagulls, I don’t see that happening again but Reading are priced right at around 1.80 for the home win, and it’s worth interest. Perhaps with the first half goals stat, in play bettors may want to wait until half time, or until Reading go Evens in play, should you have nothing better to do on Boxing day!

Recommendation: Back Reading to win at 1.80 and the 2nd half to have more goals at 11/10