Reading vs Sunderland
England – Championship
Date: Saturday, 14 April 2018
Kick-Off at 15:00 UK
Venue: Madejski Stadium (Reading).
Norwich City’s Ivo Pinto destroyed Sunderland’s hopes of saving the second tier status in mid-week’s tie at Stadium of Light. The Portuguese midfielder made it all square late in the game denying the Black Cats what should have been a massive three-pointer and confidence-booster ahead of the most important part of the season.
Chris Coleman’s men ended up with only a single point from that clash and they are still in a very complicated situation down in the relegation scrap. The Black Cats trail by six behind the safe zone and they desperately need a result on Saturday at Madejski to keep at least the hope alive.
Reading generally had a dismal campaign throughout the entire season, but they look to have improved defensive displays in the last couple of weeks. Paul Clement is the man who managed to shift team’s fortunes around and instil the fighting spirit into players as the Royals showed huge improvements just from the moment when he took over Jaap Stam on the bench.
Reading kept clean sheets in back-to-back home wins over Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End. They also produced a strong defensive effort in Tuesday’s clash with the red-hot Fulham at Craven Cottage. As for Sunderland, they won just 1 of last 14 games in Championship and we are not quite optimistic regarding their chances for success at Madejski.
Reading vs Sunderland: Head-to-head
Reading won three of last four head to head encounters with the Black cats.
This term’s clash saw the Royals snatch a 1-3 victory at Stadium of Light back in early-December last year.
Interestingly, both teams scored in five of last six head to head games between these rivals.
Reading vs Sunderland: Prediction
Reading won two on the bounce at Madejski and they offered a super strong resistance to Fulham in a narrow defeat at Craven Cottage on Tuesday.
We thus see the value in backing the home win at the 2.40 odds. Alternatively, we will go with Reading to keep another clean sheet at the sky-high 3.25 odds.
Reading vs Sunderland: Bet Tips
Reading to win @ 2.40
Reading to keep a clean sheet @ 3.25
