An entertaining afternoon at the Madejski ahead
The Royals take on the Addicks at the Madejski Stadium in the final Championship fixture ahead of the international break, two sides who were previously relegation favourites face off with Charlton Athletic maintaining one of only four remaining unbeaten records in the league this season. Both teams won without conceding last Saturday with Reading getting a 2-0 victory away to Huddersfield while Charlton’s rearguard battled excellently to hold onto to their 1-0 lead against Brentford at The Valley. Jose Manuel Gomes’ side are slightly fancied to get the three points in this meeting although the Addicks have scored twice in each of their away trips thus far in the Championship.
Recent form
Reading are unbeaten in their last five and have got on the scoresheet in all fixtures this season, they also did the double over Charlton in 2015/16 when the visitors were relegated. Though Lee Bowyer’s men have registered an impressive 11 points from the opening five games which is their second best ever start to a second-tier campaign, only deputising to the 1999/00 season when they had 12 and went on to win the title. They have only been the victors in one of their last 10 visits to Reading. The Royals kept three shutouts in their last four at home although Charlton have broken the deadlock in four of their five league games.
Key men
Montserrat international Lyle Taylor has been directly involved in five out of the Addicks’ nine goals so far, if the probable back three of Michael Morrison, Liam Moore and Matt Miazga can keep him quiet they will go a long way to winning the game. Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher has also caught the eye making forward runs from midfield to find the net three times in his four starts so far in senior football. New £7.5million pound striker from Inter Milan George Puscas has bolstered Reading’s attacking threat no end and showed what he could do with a bullish brace against Cardiff City in his last run out at the Madejski, in an encounter he and the likes of John Swift and Lucas Joao tormented the Bluebirds’ defence from start to finish.
Knocks
Deji Oshilaja was forced off against Brentford initiating the Addicks to change to a back three and deploy young midfielder George Lapslie in the right wing-back position, Chris Solly may come back in to feature following a concussion however should he not the Royals are sure to target that side, with it being the weaker and least experienced spot of the backline.
An epic could be in fruition here with Charlton expected to fight fire with fire up against Reading’s attacking muscle. Both sides have very strong creative midfielders which adds to the appeal of the neutral.
Reading – Charlton Athletic Betting Tip
Over 2.5 goals with Betfair at odds of 20/23.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
A deflected Jonathan Leko effort and a Lyle Taylor penalty were the only goals of the game, Lee Bowyer's procession marched on with a 2-0 win at the Madejski.