Reading vs Barnsley Predictions

Royals can do their part

Reading look set to continue their winning streak when they host Barnsley on Saturday, with the visitors having lost four of their last five away games in League One.

They are five places above Barnsley in the table, with a 17-point gap between the two sides. Reading, who have won 21 of their 45 games this season, are seventh, while Barnsley are 12th with 16 wins.

Reading need to better Leyton Orient’s result at Huddersfield to get into the play-offs and they should do their job.

Reading beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 last weekend to keep up their recent winning trend. Reading, who were priced as 5/4 favourites, triumphed with something to spare. Bristol Rovers had their chances but didn’t make the most of them.

Reading have been impressive defensively at home this season, conceding just 17 goals in 22 League One games – an average of 0.77 goals per game.

Backing Barnsley’s opponents during their current run of four defeats in six League One games would have resulted in a profit of 6.46 units.

The visitors are enduring a rough spell. Barnsley have failed to win any of their last five League One away games, and their last two road trips have both ended in defeat.

Barnsley’s struggles at the back are a concern, with the visitors failing to keep a clean sheet in their last six League One away games.

Reading may be able to edge out Barnsley in a 2-1 home win. Both teams have scored in 13 of Barnsley’s last 16 League One matches, while 13 of their 19 defeats have come by the odd goal.

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Edited by Mark Langdon