Battle Of The Mid-Table As Cardiff Host Reading

Reading head to Wales tomorrow (21st November, 19:45) looking to put their inconsistent form behind them with a win against fellow mid-table side Cardiff City. Neither club managed to pick up a win last time out with City snatching a point in a goalless draw against Birmingham and Reading losing 1-0 at home to Charlton.

The Welsh club made a promising start under new manager Russell Slade with a 2-1 win against promotion hopefuls Nottingham Forest back in October. They have, however, since failed to put together a meaningful enough run to drag themselves out their mid-table quamire.

A scorer against Forest, Federico Macheda grabbed the second goal in their 3-1 win over Leeds United on the first day of November. Bruno Ecuele Manga broke the deadlock after a goalless first half before Macheda doubled their lead. The deficit was slashed with just under 15 minutes remaining thanks to Alex Mowatt, before being restored through Kenwyne Jones.

Former Premier League star Jones could return to the Cardiff squad after missing two games on the grounds of compassionate leave. He is 2/1 (32red, 888sport, unibet) to score at any time.

Four days after the Leeds triumph, Cardiff travelled to Bolton, conceding three without reply against Neil Lennon`s rejuvenated Wanderers. Liam Feeney contributed with a first half brace whilst Matt Mills grabbed a third. The Birmingham draw means that the Red Dragons have gone two games without finding the back of the net. Reading are 10/3 (Spreadex) to keep a clean sheet and 11/2 with Coral to win to nil.

These high prices are as a result of Reading only keeping two away clean sheets in the league so far this season. The first came in a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough at the end of August with the second in a goalless draw at Leeds` Elland Road.

In addition, Neil Adkins` Berkshire side haven`t had the best of Novembers with a 3-0 victory over Rotherham United being snuck between their Charlton loss and a defeat away at Blackburn Rovers on the first day of the month.

Glenn Murray equalised on the stroke of half time after Rovers` Rudy Gestede opened the scoring. The equilibrium wasn`t carried through for long after the break with Ben Marshall giving the Lancashire side the lead once again before a second Gestede goal saw Blackburn win 3-1.

A goal from Jamie Mackie and a Simon Cox Brace put newly-promoted Rotherham to the sword three days later, whilst Igor Vetokele scored the only goal in the Charlton clash last time out.

The defeat at Athletic was the first time in seven games that neither Reading nor their opponent managed to score three goals in their game. Skybet and william hill are both offering 6/1 on Cardiff scoring exactly three at home, whilst it`s 10/1 (william hill) on the Royals doing the same.

Indeed it is City who are the favourites for the match with both bet365 and Betvictor offering 5/4 on a win for Slade`s side. Alternatively, Reading are available at 13/5 with Coral. A tie is 5/2 with both bet365 and Matchbook.

Adkins will be without midfielder Hope Akpan for the clash after he dislocated his shoulder on international duty with Nigeria. Captain Jem Karacan will be hoping to make an appearance, finally returning to full fitness following his year out with a knee injury.

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20/11/2014     © Frixo 2026