Reading v Leeds: hosts to go top of Championship with victory

Reading head into this weekend’s clash with Leeds at the Madejski Stadium as 8/11 favourites and will be expected to run out victors and extend the run that has seen them break into the automatic promotion picture, losing only one of their last 13 fixtures.

Leeds have been indifferent since Neil Warnock took charge with only two wins from his eight games at the helm and with the likes of Adam Clayton, Aiden White and Darren O’Dea set to be absent the Yorkshire club are priced at 4/1 to cause an upset.

It is, however worth noting that their two wins under Warnock have come away from home at both Middlesbrough and Millwall respectively.

Reading have only drawn one game since October and the likelihood of them breaking that run here seems low, but Warnock’s side will be happy with a draw and with a long list of injures The Whites may take a defensive approach.

This means the draw at 5/2 is an interesting proposition, especially considering four of the last five meetings have ended in stalemates, not to mention United have drawn 11 away games already this term.

Reading are the sort of side who share the goal-scoring duties amongst their strikers with the likes of Adam Le Fondre, Noel Hunt and Simon Church  all approaching double figures for the season, but Jason Roberts has five in his 12 appearances for Brian McDermott’s side and he is at 9/2 to break the deadlock.

The Royals have been involved in three 3-1 scorelines in their last six games and a home win at that result is available at 10/1, whilst a Leeds 3-1 victory is a 33/1 outside shot.

Reading are currently 7/4 to win the Championship and that price may offer very good value if they end the weekend atop the division.