Reading vs Bournemouth: Cherries can build on cup victory?

Reading host Bournemouth at the Madejski Stadium on Friday night, in a battle between two sides hoping to cement their position within the playoff places in the EFL Championship.

Reading and Bournemouth square off in the Championship on Friday evening with just two points separating the clubs in the standings.

Reading have been in excellent form in the last month. They have played five Championship games since Boxing Day and haven’t lost any.

In that period, they have picked up 11 points and are now sitting in fifth spot in the standings.

In that period, they have lost a game against Championship opposition, but that was against Luton Town in the third round of the FA Cup.

In their last game, Reading drew 0-0 against Preston North End.

Bournemouth, on the other hand, have had fewer days of rest than Reading. In midweek, they played an FA Cup tie against Crawley Town, which they won 2-1.

They have lost their last two games in the Championship by 1-0 scorelines to Derby County and Luton Town.

Bournemouth are currently sixth, two points behind Reading. A win in this game would take the Cherries above the Royals.

While the Royals are fifth after putting together a five-match unbeaten streak, the Cherries have recently dropped down to sixth spot courtesy of failing to win any of their last three games.

Reading vs Bournemouth Head-to-head:

Bournemouth did not have any troubles in the attack in the reverse fixture with Reading in late-November last year.
The Cherries bagged four goals in a six-goal thriller at Vitality Stadium on the occasion.
In general, the Cherries lead the head to head tie by four wins going into the 18th meeting with the Royals.
Three or more goals were scored in six of the last eight H2H affairs.

Bournemouth have won 46 out of 113 previous matches against Reading, losing 42 of those games. These two sides have played out 25 draws in the past.

Bournemouth have been in dodgy form in recent weeks, as exemplified by losses to Derby and Luton. Reading, on the other hand are playing some good football and are getting positive results.

The Royals have been struggling defensively at the start of the season. Reading kept three clean sheets in the last four league outings.

The Cherries won just one of the last five away outings in the league, netting just two goals in the process.

We are predicting a Reading win by a narrow margin.

Our Prediction: Reading @ 3.45