Reading vs Birmingham Betting Tips & Predictions

Birmingham’s hopes of play-off football have crumbled in recent weeks. A 5 match winless streak in which they’ve picked up just 2 points has seen them lose touch with the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Derby in the race for the top 6 and they are now 11 points off it and looking set for an undramatic end to the campaign. They have already been beaten twice this week, losing 2-1 at struggling Charlton last weekend prior to a defeat by the same margin against Brighton at St Andrews in midweek.

By contrast Reading have won both of their matches over the past 7 days. They have made hard work of them though against two sides in awful form in the shape of Bolton and Nottingham Forest. They had a 1 man advantage for over an hour against Bolton but needed a last gasp wonder goal from Ola John to win 1-0. They were trailing at home to Forest in midweek too but fought back well to win 2-1 with Oliver Norwood netting an 81st minute winner.

The Royals are now only 5 points behind the Blues and seem to be over their tricky run of results. Birmingham have perhaps over-achieved for much of the season and their recent run has been something of a reality check. Reading probably have the better squad and should be a bit higher up in the league. This is likely to be close but given Birmingham have been on the wrong end of two 2-1 scorelines already this week and given Reading have picked up two single goal victories, backing Reading to win 2-1 at 8/1 looks a decent shout here.