Reading v Fulham Tip

Pavel Pogrebnyak has scored 10 goals in 20 games in English football so it would be fair to describe him as roughly 50:50 to find the net on any given match day. The true likelihood obviously depends on the specific opponents and circumstances of the day. I would suggest that on Saturday he is more than 50% likely to score and therefore best odds of 2/1 (StanJames) in the anytime goalscorer betting are well worth taking.

So why do I think this is a prime opportunity for the Russian? Firstly, Reading are at home, and that always helps a struggling team. Secondly, they entertain a Fulham side who, though improved on the road, still fail to keep clean sheets when not at Craven Cottage. Martin Jol’s boys have conceded nine goals in four away trips that include Wigan, West Ham and Southampton.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Pogrebnyak faces his former employers. The 28-year-old had been an instant hit with the Cottagers with whom he scored 6 top flight goals in quick time after signing a short-term contract in January. The fact that he then left in the summer to join the Royals raised eyebrows, to say the least. With Jol indicating that he’s glad how things turned out, as he signed Berbatov, the Russian will have a point to prove.