Reading v Arsenal: Back the Royals to pull off an upset

Reading’s poor league form could count for nothing when they take on a weakened Arsenal side in the Capital One Cup fourth round.

The Royals are a big price at 11/4 and, buoyed by a near sell-out crowd at the Madejski, they could be on for an upset.

The likes of Jack Wilshere, Lukas Podolski and Thomas Vermaelen are all set to miss the game, along with a host of other first-teamers, so a full-strength Reading side has the ability to cause the Gunners problems.

With two consecutive 3-2 victories in the previous rounds, which included a win at Loftus Road to end QPR’s interest in the competition, Reading have relied on the Capital One Cup to keep morale afloat as their search for three points in the Premier League continues.

Arsenal have been far from convincing in recent weeks and were fortunate to beat QPR in their last outing. With goals hard to come by for the Gunners, a Reading clean sheet at 7/2 could be worth a bet, though this is a feat they are yet to achieve this season.

Some resolute defending could easily be enough to keep a team of Arsenal reserves and youngsters at bay and, if they can pinch a goal, a win to-nil at 11/2 is a strong possibility, while a home win via the lottery of a penalty shoot-out is a decent prospect at 10/1.

Bustling Russian, Pavel Pogrebnyak has netted the winner in both previous rounds of the competition and his physique is the sort that traditionally insights panic in the Arsenal backline, whoever is in it.

He’s a 6/1 shot to score the last goal of the game here and looks good to score at any time with a price of 15/8.

Arsenal will also look to a Russian international to help them through – forgotten man Andrei Arshavin. The former captain of his national side will be in contention to lead Arsene Wenger’s men out here and is priced at 8/1 to be the first man on target.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date