Championship Betting: Back to reality for Reading heroes

Championship / Jaymes Monte / 15 January 2010 / Leave a Comment

Despite Reading’s FA cup heroics they continue to struggle in the league and come up against an in-form Nottingham Forest this week.

"Hats off to Reading for their incredible FA Cup win at Anfield in midweek - but this weekend it's back to the meat and potatoes of the league, and you just cannot ignore things are not going well for them in that department."

Andrew French doesn't believe that signing Celtic rejects will provide any reprieve for Boro manager Gordon Strachcan, no this weekend anyway. Elsewhere Reading return to their relegation dog fight after heroics at Anfield...

Despite manager Gordon Strachan seemingly trying to sign half a squad from former club Celtic, I don't see any respite for Middlesbrough this weekend as they travel to Sheffield United.

The Blades are flying right now with just one defeat in their last 11 games in all competitions. At Bramall Lane they have been particularly miserly of late, conceding just a solitary goal in their last five home games. That will be key against Boro, who at least have scored well on their travels: 23 in 12 games. However, Strachan has managed just two wins in 11 since taking over and, although he will get things moving again at the Riverside, I don't think it will be this week. Back United at [2.2].

There are a couple of opportunities for that 'new manager effect' to play a part this weekend, but I think it is most likely to happen for Preston. Darren Ferguson was more than a shade unlucky to lose his job at Peterborough, and although Preston have slipped down the table, he'll know he has the basis of a play-off squad already in place. Their recent form is poor, but then so is that of the side they visit, Bristol City. The Robins have won just once in 11 games in all competitions, and they have not won at home since October 20 - and they have drawn each of their last four at Ashton Gate. Therefore, I suggest laying City at [2.28].

Although they are still rooted to the foot of the table, there are shoots of encouragement poking through the snow at Peterborough. New manager Mark Cooper has clearly instilled some grit into the Posh, as evidenced by their amazing fight back from 4-0 down to earn a point in their last home game with Cardiff - and prior to that they beat Watford at London Road. Visitors Derby are struggling, losing three of their last four league games and scoring only one goal in the process. I'm backing Peterborough at [2.36].

Hats off to Reading for their incredible FA Cup win at Anfield in midweek - but this weekend it's back to the meat and potatoes of the league, and you just cannot ignore things are not going well for them in that department. Caretaker boss Brian McDermott may well have secured the job permanently thanks to the win over Liverpool, but he'll know it's league games that really count and Reading have won just five all season. They have not taken three points since early December and they were trounced 4-1 at Plymouth last time out. Therefore, I can't look beyond Nottingham Forest in this one. They ran Birmingham close in the FA Cup and have gone a stunning 17 games without defeat in the league. Back Billy Davies' boys at [1.73].