Eng. Championship
2011-04-25 - Reading vs Sheffield United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : English Championship
Monday 25 April 2011 - Kickoff 3pm
Reading
The Championship is coming to a conclusion this season with the Royals still hopeful they can overtake Norwich in the quest for an automatic promotion spot to the Premier League. A 0-0 draw at Leeds is not a bad result, but leaves Reading with a lot of work to do and hope others can do them a favour.
Reading remained in 4th place in the Championship after results over the last few days, but are now 4 points behind Norwich in the final automatic promotion spots. They are 11-7-3 at the Majedski Stadium, scoring 39 goals and conceding 21.
The draw with Leeds meant Reading extended their run to 13 League games unbeaten, although it did see the end of their 8 game winning run. Reading are unbeaten in their last 6 home games, winning the last 5, and they have scored at least 2 goals in each of those wins.
Jimmy Kebe missed the game at Elland Road last Friday and remains a doubt for this game. If he is absent again, Hal Robson-Kanu will start in his place.
Sheffield United
It is perhaps a touch ironic that Sheffield United look certain to be relegated in the same season as their former manager, Neil Warnock, returning to the Premier League. A 3-2 win over Bristol City on Saturday seems to have delayed the inevitable unless we are witnessing something quite miraculous.
Sheffield United are bottom of the Championship and find themselves 6 points from safety with only 9 points left on offer. That means they will be under the additional pressure of having to match the Crystal Palace score to at least delay the relegation for another week. The Blades are 3-4-14 away from home this season, scoring 14 goals and conceding 37. The team are the lowest away scorers in the League and that does not bode well for them.
The win over Bristol City stopped a run of 4 consecutive defeats. They have been particularly struggling away from Bramell Lane and have now lost their last 7 away games in the League. To make matters worse, Sheffield United have conceded at least 3 goals in 5 of those defeats and they have only scored 1 goal in their last 4 away games.
Harry Maguire was sent off at the weekend and will be suspended for this game. Neill Collins and Rob Kozluk are both back in the squad and pushing for recalls.
Head to Head
Reading had lost 3 League games in a row to Sheffield United, including the last 2 at home, before earning a 1-1 draw in the Steel City earlier this season.
Reading had won 4 of their last 5 home games with the Blades before the last 2 defeats here.
Prediction
Sheffield United have been struggling down the stretch and I cant help wondering if they have shown the last of their fight in the win against Bristol City. They have been losing goals and games for fun away from home and that is not a good look when facing this confident Reading side.
The Royals may have lost their last chance of gaining automatic promotion when failing to beat Leeds on Friday, but they will want to keep momentum on their side for an expected Play Off battle. They have been playing well at home in recent weeks and have plenty of goals in the side to take advantage of this Sheffield United backline.
There is perhaps a concern that Reading will not be as focused now that their chances of automatic promotion have taken a hit, but I expect Brian McDermott will keep reminding them that taking maximum points from their last 3 games could be enough.
Add to this that they have had an extra day rest, and I will be backing Reading to cover the Asian Handicap.
The Pick :
Reading 3-1 Sheffield United
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Reading - 1.25 Asian Handicap @ 2.0 (3 UNITS)Follow me on Twitter- the direct link is below
