Tom Carnduff is backing Sheffield United to edge past Reading when the two sides meet in the Championship on Tuesday night.
- Kick-off time: 2000 GMT
- Venue: Madejski Stadium
- Sky Bet odds: Reading (2/1), draw (11/5), Sheffield United (11/8)
Reading v Sheffield United recommended bets
1pt Sheffield United to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 at 21/10
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Reading host Sheffield United in the Sky Bet Championship on Tuesday night looking for their first home league win since November.
Last season's play-off finalists have far from hit the heights of the previous campaign, and they currently sit four points above the relegation zone.
For the Blades, they are aiming for back-to-back promotions and find themselves within touching distance of the play-offs.
Reading are around 2/1 to secure the points, the draw priced around the 11/5 mark and the Blades favourites at near 11/8.
Despite their position in the league, Sheffield United have hit a patch of rough form that has seen them pick up just six points from a possible 15 lately.
The picture doesn’t look any better for the hosts, with Jaap Stam’s side winning just two of their last 10 in all competitions.
They put three past high-flying Derby last time out, but that was only enough for their first point at home since the draw with Cardiff back in December.
A concern for Chris Wilder is their form on the road. Whilst January saw away victories over both Norwich and Ipswich, the Blades have lost their last three away games in all competitions, failing to score a goal.
Their away form hasn’t been the best in recent weeks, but Wilder’s men can take confidence from wins at Bramall Lane against QPR and Leeds.
Reading have also picked up just two wins in games against the current Championship top eight this season, the last of which came in an away victory against Derby at the beginning of November.
The Blades can be found as big as 6/4 for the win, despite their recent away results, as they look to move back into the play-off positions. However, I’m backing Sheffield United to win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 at 9/4 as I’d expect a close game, but one that Wilder’s side can edge as the market suggests.
Prediction: Reading 0-1 Sheffield United (Sky Bet odds: 6/1)
Opta statistics
- These sides haven’t met at the Madejski Stadium since January 2013, when Reading won 4-0 in an FA Cup match.
- However, in league competition, the Blades have won each of their last three matches at the Madejski Stadium against the Royals, last doing so in April 2011.
- Reading have won just one of their last 13 Championship outings (D5 L7), with their only win in this run coming away from home at Burton.
- Sheffield United have managed just one win from their last seven away games in the EFL (D2 L4), after winning five of the previous seven such games (L2).
- In fact, the Blades have lost each of their last three away trips in all competitions, they haven’t lost four in a row since October 2013.
- Jón Dadi Bödvarsson has scored three goals in his last four league appearances for Reading, as many as he scored in his first 19 games for the club.
Team news
Reading
On-loan striker Chris Martin could return after missing the draw against parent club Derby on Saturday. John Swift is likely to feature after coming off the bench against the Rams on his return from a hamstring injury.
Sheffield United
Striker James Wilson and midfielders David Brooks and Ricky Holmes will have fitness tests after missing Friday's defeat by Hull.
Posted at 1505 GMT on 27/02/18.