Reading lead the table and look much improved right now under new head coach Veljko Paunovic who has been at the helm for two months. He and they have made the dream start, but we have to be a little suspicious as they are pretty much the same team who were very limited last season, albeit with a couple of overseas additions who have hit the ground running. I would like to get a good look at them asap, but nothing wrong with results, six wins and only one goal conceded and Paunovic has got them well organised. They will have a proper test tonight, a midweek trip to the North West is never easy and we kind of know where we stand with Rovers, they are entertaining, full of goals , often throw caution to the wind early in games, but who are capable of the odd stinker and I actually previewed this game which was in Week 45 last season, so only three months ago ............

 

Rovers last four home starts have seen both teams score in each and three produce 4+ goals and the home side are the second highest goalscorers outside the top 6. Reading have scored in 8/9 away games , only coming up short at Elland Road against now promoted Leeds United and they have scored at least twice in 7 of their last 13 on the road. They are the second highest away goal scorers in the bottom half of the table and so much happier on the road (we discussed their home issues in midweek). Rovers have some defensive injuries which we have spoken of several times and they will have to do the usual "end of season with nothing to play for rotation" around one or two playing out of position at the back.

 

Rovers won 4-3 which was ideal for our purposes, Blackburn have scored 22 in 9 starts since I wrote those notes but only won 4 and are not now meeting a Royals team so free and easy defensively. Reading have scored 2+ in 10/16 away starts and I would be surprised if they did not do so this evening, add in their new defensive prowess, confidence levels and odds offered and we can only go one way.

 

 

 

Good luck !