Reading v Chelsea Prediction 30th January 2013

Reading v Chelsea Betting Preview

A very interesting match in prospect between third from top and third from bottom. Surprisingly, carrying the better form into the match isReading, who have won five of their last six matches in all competitions. Chelsea can’t match that as they have been creaking and suffered some poor cup performances recently. There is just the air of a lack of belief creeping in at Stamford Bridge under Rafa Benitez, but their away form under the Spaniard hasn’t been all that bad. Is the time right for the Royals to pounce?

Reading v Chelsea Recommended Bet:

It’s all smiles and good form at the Madejski at the moment. Four straight wins on the bounce in all competitions, including a good 4-0 home win over Sheffield United in the FA Cup on the weekend. They are trending well at the moment and can’t be ignored in this one. The Royals have lost just three home games all season and that, along with their current form, suggests that they may be good enough for a point at least in this one. They are on a two match winning streak in the Premier League alone, beating West Brom and then Newcastle in big games for them. Three wins in four Premier League matches has suddenly seen Premier League survival look much more realistic.

A win over Chelsea could be massive for them. The Royals haven’t beaten Chelsea in any of their five previous Premier League meetings, taking one draw and four losses. While they have turned the corner at the moment, the Royals have lost a league high 20 points from winning positions this season, and three of them came when they blew a 2-1 lead at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season. Their two recent victories were achieved coming from behind and on the eight occasions which they have scored first this season, they have won just once. They really could cause Chelsea some problems on Wednesday night.

Chelsea stuttered to a 2-2 draw at Brentford in the FA Cup on the weekend, needing a late strike from Fernando Torres to save them. It was a strong side which Rafa Benitez fielded too, but they looked a bit dejected. They bowed out of the League Cup semi final against Swansea last week and the games look to be catching up with them. The Blues don’t seem to create enough clear cut chances for some reason, but still usually enjoy plenty of possession. Still, put the cup games aside and Chelsea’s league form paints a different tale. While they have dropped points at home recently in the league, they have won their last four on the road, which says something about them.

Chelsea have won six of the last eight Premier League matches, and have been good on the road, including wins at Everton and Stoke. Chelsea’s away record this season stands at W7 D2 L2 so isn’t bad. They have scored at a rate of 1.9 goals per game, having conceded at a rate of exactly 1 per game. They have also scored in each of their last nine away games, so they are going to be a threat. But they could get outworked by the spirited Royals if they aren’t careful. 

Form
Reading WLWWWW, Chelsea LWDWDD

Stat Attack

Reading are on a four match winning streak in all competitions
The Royals have taken just one point from five previous EPL meetings with Chelsea
Chelsea have been awarded more penalties than anyone else in the top flight this term
Reading have lost a league high 20 points from winning positions this season