English Premier
2012-08-22 - Chelsea vs Reading
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Wednesday 22 August 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm
Chelsea
Chelsea are involved in the European Super Cup a week on Friday so they have decided to move this game forward ten days to ensure they are not going to get involved in any sort of fixture congestion later on in the season. After a positive start to the season on Sunday, the fans will be expecting another three points in this one.
It was a dream ten minutes for Chelsea at the weekend as they scored twice and went 0-2 up at Wigan Athletic. However, they then decided to defend deep and the home side actually had a few chances that may have given them a way back into the game so there are still some questions to be answered here.
They finished 12-3-4 at Stamford Bridge in the League last season, scoring 41 goals and conceding 24, but they will want to improve that defence that put them in the bottom half of the table in the home goals conceded category. However, only 3 teams managed more wins at home last season in the League.
Marko Marin is unlikely to make his debut for Chelsea until after the international break in the early part of September. Ramires missed the win at Wigan, but could be available for selection in this one.
Reading
It was a real wake up call for Reading at the weekend as they needed a late goal in their home game with Stoke City to earn a point and that should give them an idea as to how tough it will be to stay in the Premier League this season.
A lot of pundits and experts believed Reading were the best equipped to stay in the Premier League of the three promoted clubs, but they will need to improve from their showing on Saturday. While they earned a point, there is an issue over who will be able to get their goals and that leaves a lot of pressure on Pavel Progrebnyak and Adam Le Fondre.
The Royals finished with a 13-3-7 away record in the Championship last season, scoring 33 goals and conceding 23. That means Reading had the joint most away wins in the Championship along with West Ham and also the third best away defence, although they will clearly face a higher level of opposition for the most part in the Premier League.
Jason Roberts is suspended, while Jem Karacan is out with an injury suffered towards the end of last season. Jimmy Kebe is in the squad, as is Stuart Taylor, but the latter is unlikely to be replacing Adam Federici in goal despite the mistake made on Saturday.
Head to Head
Reading spent two seasons in the Premier League between 2006 and 2008, but they only earned a point from their 4 matches against Chelsea.
However, that point came from a 2-2 draw here at Stamford Bridge with Chelsea winning their other home game 1-0.
Chelsea are unbeaten in all 8 home games against Reading in their histories.
Prediction
Chelsea really seemed to catch Wigan Athletic cold at the weekend, but that shouldn't hide the fact that the home team missed a number of chances in the second half that may have seen the game with a different result.
However, Eden Hazard looked a very good player in that game and they may just need his magic again to unlock a Reading team that may feel a little more comfortable defending for long periods rather than having to press forward as would have been expected at the Majedski Stadium on Saturday.
There is enough class in the Chelsea team to see them cover the handicaps with ease, but I just have a feeling they may just concede in this game and that is only going to help Reading be the team that covers.
Even though I think scoring goals may be Reading's biggest issue this season, Chelsea let Wigan have enough chances to get on the scoreboard to think Reading will get an opportunity. Roberto Di Matteo may also begin to make changes and allow Reading the momentum if Chelsea are winning by a couple of goals and that may also see the Royals grab a late consolation to cover the spread.
I just believe Brian McDermott will have his side organised to make life tough for Chelsea and so I'll back Reading at odds against to avoid a defeat by a couple of goals.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Chelsea 2-1 Reading
