Stoke v Reading Tip

This is a classic case of the bookies sticking to their guns against all recent evidence to the contrary and I’m therefore pretty much obliged to oppose them. Stoke can’t justify best odds of 19/20 (WilliamHill) at this moment in time while Reading are an absolute snip at a market-leading price of 18/5 with Bet365.

Historically, this is a fixture that the Royals have always fared well in having gone unbeaten in their last six, but that isn’t really the key point. More pertinent is the fact that they are one of the form sides in the top flight with four victories in their last six and one defeat in seven since Christmas (W4 D2 L1).

Compare that with the sluggish Potters who are winless in six with four losses thrown into the mix (W0 D2 L4). They have conceded 17 goals in their last seven outings while also achieving fewer shots on target (75) than any other side in the course of 2012-13. That spells trouble at both ends of the pitch.

Brian McDermott will want his team to keep riding the crest of a wave while Tony Pulis will be feeling the heat, along with his players, if things don’t go smoothly at the Britannia again. The pressure is all on the hosts and that makes the long odds on the away win all the more tempting.