Reading v Bournemouth: Cherries to relish royal appointment

Reading slip to successive defeats

Resurgent Reading fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at Blackburn last weekend with manager Veljko Paunovic admitting his side gave Rovers both goals in a toothless display at Ewood Park. Second-half strikes by Sam Gallagher and Tyrhys Dolan earned the hosts all three points with the Royals poor defending to blame according to the visiting boss.

Paunovic said: "Unfortunately, I have to repeat the same thing as last game. Everything was under our control, especially in the first half. And even in the moments when we conceded the two goals, it happened after two giveaways. It's difficult to accept that we didn't get a result and I'm disappointed we didn't score a goal because I think we played good football."

Defeat means it's now back-to-back losses for Reading, while in the background the threat of a points deduction looms for profit and sustainability breaches. To make matters worse, the returning Femi Azeez limped off before half-time and re-joins an injury list that includes the likes of Michael Morrison, Tom McIntyre, Andy Rinomhota, Lucas Joao and Yakou Meite.

Bournemouth ease past Huddersfield

Dominic Solanke scored twice to help unbeaten Bournemouth maintain their Championship lead with a thumping 3-0 victory over Huddersfield last time out. The 24-year-old took his tally for the season to 11 in all competitions, as the Cherries swept the visitors aside at the Vitality Stadium, with Lloyd Kelly also getting on the scoresheet in an impressive display.

Scott Parker's side are the only side in the English Football League yet to have tasted defeat, and Bournemouth have also equalled a club record for an unbeaten start to a league campaign, matching the class of 1961-62's total of 14 games without defeat. The Cherries have now picked up an excellent 34 points from their opening 14 league fixtures.

Speaking post-match, Parker said: "We are going in the right direction. Of course, records are brilliant, but the constant message to this team is processes - understanding what we need to do. We have technical ability, but what you are seeing in this team is an endeavour and a real work-ethic first and foremost. That's what's giving us the platform to get results."

Royals overperforming according to ratings

Reading bagged a 3-1 triumph over Bournemouth in January, ending an eight-game streak against the Cherries without success (W1-D2-L6). The victory was also only the Royals' second in seven home meetings with the south coast club - Reading haven't pocketed successive home wins against Bournemouth since way back in November 1993.

Despite losing half of their opening 14 fixtures, Reading 4.804/1 are only two points off fifth coming into the weekend's action. Veljko Paunovic's outfit have actually been non-penalty Expected Goals (npxG) inferior to their opposition in 11 of those outings, and rank rock-bottom for Expected Points (xP) thus far, scoring eight goals more than xG suggestions.

Bournemouth 1.865/6 are looking to become the first Championship side since Brighton in 2015-16 to remain unbeaten through their first 15 matches of the season. The Cherries (W10-D4-L0) are second on xP, whilst also leading the same metric on the road. Indeed, Scott Parker's side have proven particularly impressive on their travels (W5-D2-L0).

Cherries to relish royal appointment

Entertainment tends to be expected when Reading are involved. The Royals have seen their opening encounters deliver 3.14 goals per-game on average, with nine (64%) breaching the Over 2.5 Goals 1.9720/21 barrier. The hosts' boast the worst defence according to Expected Goals (xG) and have shipped multiple goals in half of their 14 Championship contests.

Bournemouth have conceded a solitary strike in their last eight hours of league football, and have remarkable leaked just one goal in their seven road trips. That recent run includes six successive away clean sheets with the Cherries allowing only 0.44 xG in games as guests this term. Six of those seven Bournemouth away days have also featured Under 2.5 Goals.

With the visitors looking strong, and Reading arguably overachieving, I'm happy to support Bournemouth to win and Under 4.5 Goals at 1.9620/21 on the Bet Builder. We'll get the 1-0, 2-0, 3-0, 4-0, 2-1 and 3-1 correct scores onside - all 10 of the Cherries' triumphs under Scott Parker have arrived alongside Under 4.5 Goals.