Both Royals and Spurs to score at Madejski Stadium

Neither Reading nor Tottenham has broken its English Premier League duck so far this term but, whichever way the Madejski Stadium match plays out, goals looks certain to feature.

Reading has adopted an attacking mindset on its return to the English Premier League after four years in the second tier, including taking the game to UEFA Champions League winner Chelsea and being unfortunate not to leave Stamford Bridge with better than a 2-4 loss to show for its efforts.

The Royals were the lowest scoring team of last season`s English Championship top five. However, Brian McDermott seems to have taken the view that they need to increase their goal-scoring output considerably to stand a decent chance of maintaining their English Premier League status, hence the attacking mentality with which they are playing.

So far this term, Reading has played three competitive games in all tournaments, with those matches featuring an average of four and one-third goals. And with the Royals sure to push forward at home to a Tottenham side that has made a dreadful start to life under Andre Villas-Boas, the first bet that enters one`s head is a wager on over 2.5 goals.

Tottenham, too, has played three competitive matches so far this season, scoring and conceding goals in each of them, two of which were at home to English Premier League minnows Norwich and West Bromwich, and incurring the wrath of its supporters who would quite like Harry Redknapp to return.

Spurs fans have booed off their side at the end of both White Hart Lane fixtures and there are already rumours of discontent among the playing group, which is remarkable when one considers that Villas-Boas only joined the club in July.

One gets the impression that Tottenham`s players are not up for the tough stuff currently and that, although they are capable of turning on the style in advanced areas, they are vulnerable at the back. Indeed, while it took Norwich 85 minutes to score at White Hart Lane two weeks ago, it was only because Brad Friedel had had a blinder in the Spurs goal versus a Canaries team set for a long and, perhaps, unsuccessful fight against the drop from the top flight.

Bookmakers have installed Tottenham as the hot favourite for the Madejski Stadium clash, with Spurs at around 11-10, Reading at around 11-4 and the draw at around 5-2. The value, if there is any in the plain betting on the game probably lies in the draw since it is difficult to build a compelling argument for backing either of the sides to win.

The over/under 2.5 goals betting market is pretty much pick `em, with most bookmakers unable to nominate a favourite option. Those betting agencies that are not sitting on the fence are siding with the over and that makes sense because of the manner in which Reading and Tottenham are playing.

Back the Royals and Spurs to combine for more than two goals at around 10-11. Neither side looks capable of keeping a clean sheet at present. And check out the exotic betting market that some bookmakers offer about both teams to score. That makes strong appeal at the generally available 8-11.

Go To bet365

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14/09/2012     © Frixo 2024