Reading vs Bristol City Predictions

• Reading are unbeaten in their last eight Championship home games (won 4, drawn 4).
• Bristol City have lost 11 of their last 16 Championship away games (won 3, drawn 2).
• Reading did the league double over Bristol City last season.

Pressure on Pearson ahead of Royals clash

Bristol City boss Nigel Pearson is already a manager under pressure as he takes his side to Berkshire to face Reading on Tuesday.

It seems silly for such talk to emerge only two games into the Championship season, but the Robins are winless in 12 Championship games now.

City’s the last three points came way back on March 13 and Pearson’s men have suffered 10 defeats in that run.

He has overseen just three (although the first one was from the stands with debateable input from the ex-Leicester boss) wins in 17 matches since taking charge with Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Middlesbrough accompanied by an uninspiring performance.

They do score goals away from home, with 17 scored on the road during a dismal 16-game sequence that has brought only 11 points from a possible 48.

Over 2.5 goals would have been a strong option, given nine of the last 11 City away games and five of the last seven Reading homes have featured at least three, but the team news is a concern.

Royals striker Lucas Joao, who scored 19 in 35 starts last season, is a doubt after coming off late on against Preston in some visible pain.

But Reading’s home record is pretty good since Veljko Paunovic took over a year ago, winning 12 and losing seven last season, and the Serb has already overseen a 2-1 success over Preston this month.

Paunovic praised his side’s improved defending of set pieces after that game too, which will be one of Bristol City’s best hopes of getting a goal after showing no pace or width in attack against Middlesbrough.

Our prediction, therefore, is a 2-0 home win for the Royals and more pressure being heaped on Pearson in the aftermath.