Preston vs Reading Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Preston still have an outside chance of making the play-offs but a win here is almost a necessity you’d have to say. Reading’s form has been a bit patchy in 2017 and this is a tough game for them.

Deepdale is a tough place to go and Preston have already got the better of some of the promotion hopefuls at home this term. Brighton and Huddersfield were both pretty well beaten at the Lancashire ground and Preston have won 50% of their home league games this season. That figure would be much higher were it not for their slow start to the campaign. They lost their opening 3 home games but have averaged an impressive 2.07 points per game at home since.

They’ve won 4 of their last 5 home Championship matches and have been scoring quite a few goals. They’ve netted 1.61 per game at home this season. They look to have done a smart piece of business in January by signing Tom Barkhuizen from Morecambe. He was always prolific from a midfield role in the lower leagues and has netted Preston’s goal in their last two matches so should come into this one with confidence and backing Barkhuizen to score anytime at 13/5 could be worth a flutter.

Reading’s away record is extremely mixed. They’ve averaged 1.35 points per game on the road, which isn’t terrible, but 47% of their league away games have ended in defeat, which is more than you’d expect from a promotion hopeful. They’ve lost 6 of their last 10 on the road in all competitions and it’s worth noting that they haven’t picked up a single point away from home against any side currently in the Championship top ten this season.

With Preston currently going well in 9th and in strong form at home, backing Preston to Win at 5/4 looks to offer value here.