Reading vs QPR Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

QPR finished 8 points above Reading last season but it’s the Royals who look a class above Rangers this time around. They can move within 3 points of 2nd place Newcastle with a win here and on current form they ought to get it.

Reading started the season brightly with a new coach and plenty of new players and they’ve only got stronger as it has progressed and they’ve further gelled as a side. They come into this match having won 9 of their last 11 league games and they’ve been very good at the Madejski of late. The Royals have won their last 5 Championship home games, scoring twice or more in all of those fixtures. They’ve won 67% of their home games this term, averaging 2.25 points per game, a home record that only leaders Brighton can better.

One man who is having an exceptional season for them is Gareth McCleary. The Jamaican has netted 8 times in the league already and has netted in 3 of Reading’s last 5 home matches. He seems to have found a new lease of life under Jaap Stam and against struggling opposition, backing McCleary to score anytime at 7/4 looks a decent bet here.

QPR do come into this game having won their last two Championship matches to end a miserable 6 game losing streak in the league. However, they aren’t playing anywhere near the sort of football required to come here and get the better of a strong Reading side. They have issues to address at both ends of the pitch, given they’ve scored just 0.96 goals per game in the league this term and have kept clean sheets in only 16% of their games.

Only Wigan have scored fewer goals than the West London club but there have been a few signs of improvement in those last two wins to suggest they could nick a goal against a Reading side that have conceded in, but still won, their last 3 home games. However, the Royals should still possess enough quality in midfield and up front to control the majority of this match and therefore backing Reading to win at 3/4 looks a solid punt.