Reading vs Middlesbrough Betting Tips

Boro may be 2nd in the standings but in truth they have been the outstanding side of the Championship season so far. They have won their last 7 matches in all competitions coming into this one and several of those games have been pretty convincing wins.

They seem to have the biggest squad in the league and have players all over the pitch capable of scoring goals yet they are still very strong defensively. Currently they have the best goalscoring record in the league with 17 goals and also the strongest defence, which has conceded just 5 times so far, which demonstrates clearly why they are the red hot promotion favourites.

Reading are hot on their heels though in 3rd place having won 4 of their last 5 Championship matches and at the very least look to be on course for a much better season than last year.

However a lot of their damage has been done on the road. Their stunning 5-1 win over Ipswich is their only win at the Madejski Stadium in 10 attempts in league and cup in a run stretching back over 6 months. Derby and Everton have both won in Berkshire since that convincing showing and there is no reason why a Middlesbrough side who are playing so well can’t do likewise and they look really good value at 8/5 to do that.

It is likely to be a bit closer than their recent wins though and a Reading side that are suddenly looking quite threatening in the final third should also score. Boro should still have enough class to create a few clear openings of their own though and have developed a real knack for winning football matches so consider taking a punt on a 2-1 away win at 9/1.