Eng. Championship
2012-04-10 - Brighton vs Reading
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Tuesday 10 April 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm
Brighton
Brighton would have been happy to see some of the results coming through on Easter Monday with Blackpool and Cardiff City both failing to win and that leaves them with a chance of making it back into the Play Off places with a win tonight. However, it won't be easy against automatic promotion chasing Reading.
The Seagulls are 7th in the Championship, but they are just 2 points behind Cardiff in the final Play Off berth and 4 points behind Blackpool in 5th. They have an 11-6-3 record at the Amex Stadium this season, scoring 33 goals and conceding 17. Only Southampton and Birmingham City have lost fewer home games than Brighton so far this season.
Brighton have lost a bit of form in recent weeks and they have now won just 1 of their last 5 League games following a 1-0 loss at Burnley on Good Friday. However, their home form remains solid as they are unbeaten in their last 9 League games here, winning 6 of those games. Brighton have won 3 and drawn 3 of their last 6 home games in the League.
Matt Sparrow is back in the squad after completing a suspension, but Liam Bridcutt is still suspended. Gary Dicker is available for selection after recovering from injury.
Reading
Reading may not have played yesterday, but they, like Brighton, would have enjoyed the West Ham result as they could only manage a draw with Birmingham City at Upton Park. The next two games could be crucial for Reading and their bid for automatic promotion as they face Southampton on Friday night at St Mary's after this one.
The team have a 3 point lead over West Ham in the chase for promotion to the Premier League and they have this game in hand. I am sure Brian McDermott will be hoping his side can gain 4 points from the next two games in a bid to see off the West Ham challenge. Reading are 11-3-6 away from home this season, scoring 29 goals and conceding 20, and only West Ham have managed more wins on their travels.
It took a couple of late goals for Reading to see off ten man Leeds United on Friday as they recorded their third consecutive win in the League. Reading beat West Ham 2-4 in their last away game in the League to improve to 2-1-1 in their last 4 away from the Majedski Stadium following a 4 match winning run on their travels.
Jem Karacan looks set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a broken ankle in the win over Leeds. Jay Tabb is also doubtful, while Adam Le Fondre hopes his two goals in the last game will earn him a starting spot.
Head to Head
Reading beat Brighton 3-0 at the Majedski Stadium earlier this season, although this will be their first visit to the Amex Stadium.
The Royals have an impressive record at Brighton in recent years, winning 5 of their last 6 away from home including the last 3.
However, they last played at Brighton 6 seasons ago.
Prediction
I can understand why Reading have been set as the favourites to win this match as they have been in a great run of form recently, but it has to be taken into consideration that they have won just 2 of their last 4 games, failing to do so at Doncaster Rovers and Peterborough United.
Brighton also have a very strong home record and will be fully motivated as they have their own ambitions of making it into the Premier League come the end of the season. They are able to push themselves back into the Play Off spots with a win here and are also unbeaten in their last 9 home games in the League, which includes a 3-0 win over Southampton.
However, they have been a little inconsistent in their play in recent games and that has put me off in backing them to win this game at a nice looking price.
The Seagulls will not make this easy for Reading and I can see both sides having to settle for a point that will help them achieve what they want to do. Brighton will think it is a point gained against one of the form sides in the League, while Reading will have increased their lead over West Ham to 4 points ahead of the game at Southampton.
At 3.50, the draw looks like it could be worth backing.
The Pick :
Brighton 1-1 Reading
