English Premier
2013-02-02 - Reading vs Sunderland
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 2 February 2013 - Kick Off 3pm
Reading
It was a stunning fightback from Reading on Wednesday that prevented them from falling to defeat against Chelsea as Adam Le Fondre scored twice in the final minutes of the game to earn the Royals a draw. That point has dragged the side out of the relegation zone and was a real bonus considering the manner in which Reading had been outplayed throughout the game against Chelsea.
Reading are now 17th in the Premier League table, moving ahead of Aston Villa and Wigan Athletic on goal difference and they will look to their form at the Majedski Stadium to steer clear of relegation. The side are 3-6-3 at home this season, scoring 20 goals and conceding 23 goals.
They are actually unbeaten in 5 games in all competitions thanks to the result against Chelsea and they had won 4 in a row before the draw. Reading are unbeaten in 5 home games in all competitions since back to back losses to Manchester United and Arsenal here, and they had won 3 in a row before the draw with Chelsea. Reading have scored at least 2 goals in 3 straight home games.
Jason Roberts looks to be the only absentee for Reading in this game, while Adam Le Fondre will be hoping to be given a start after a run of goals for the side coming off the bench.
Sunderland
Martin O'Neill has got his Sunderland side out of trouble in recent weeks with a number of positive results, but it is clear that the fans are still not happy. They were booed off in their last home game against Swansea after a goalless draw, but will be hoping the signing of Danny Graham will help on the goals front.
Recent results have seen Sunderland up to 11th in the Premier League and they have 29 points to their name which gives them a handy number of points over the teams in the relegation zone. They have a 3-4-5 record away from home, scoring 13 goals and conceding 19 in those games.
Sunderland are unbeaten in their last 3 Premier League games and have picked up 7 points from a possible 9 in those games to move clear of trouble. However, the discontent of the fans may have come from the poor early season form and the surprise 0-2 loss to Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup Third Round replay. The Black Cats have won 2 of their last 3 away games in the Premier League, both coming at relegation threatened Southampton and Wigan Athletic.
Danny Graham will be added to the squad for this game, but the likes of Carlos Cuellar, Wes Brown, Danny Rose and Lee Cattermole will be missing.
Head to Head
Sunderland beat Reading 3-0 at the Stadium of Light earlier this season, a result that relieved a lot of pressure on them at that time.
This will be the first time they have played at Reading since the 2007/08 season when a late goal allowed the home side to win 2-1.
Reading have won their last 2 home games against Sunderland and 3 of the last 4.
Prediction
I was very close to picking Reading to win this game, but I have been put off by the fact that they have needed a lot of late goals to earn their positive results of late and they have actually been trailing a lot in their games.
Their defence is still not quite up to scratch and they do concede a lot of goals, although it is clear they carry a goal threat in the side.
On the other hand, I think it would be easy to under-estimate Sunderland considering their lack of goals, but they have earned plenty of positive results against sides below them in the League.
Sunderland have won at Fulham, Southampton and Wigan Athletic, while also avoiding defeat at West Ham United (who equalised with minutes remaining) while their loss at Norwich City came when the Canaries were in much better form.
There have been plenty of goals in both of their home/away games respectively and taking the chance of over 2.5 goals at 2.05 looks to be a better call than picking a winner in my opinion.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Reading 2-1 Sunderland
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.05
