After a disappointing away day at QPR last weekend, Reading will be looking to bounce back here but face a Fulham side that look sure to challenge for promotion this season. Fulham come here after drawing their opening day game and would love to put a win on the board in this one.
This is going to be tough for Reading, but they are a capable side and they need to raise their game to take on one of the best teams in the Championship. I am not too sure where I rank Reading at the moment, although after finishing in the top half most of the time they must surely set that as their goal for the season. They have a few new players at the club, as do Fulham and both will need to quickly settle down and get going this season.
Reading Form
Last weekend will have been disappointing for Reading fans, they lost 2-0 away to QPR and never really looked like threatening in the game. QPR are not one of the better teams in this league and will likely finish mid-table at best. If Reading are to aim for the top half, where they have been so many times in recent years, then they need to be better.
They did beat Gillingham 2-0 at home on Tuesday, although with Gillingham expected to be fighting for relegation in League Two, it was hardly a game to challenge Reading. I am not really sure where they stand right now if I am honest, they need to be better than they were last week and we will find out if they are capable of that over the next few games.
Fulham Form
Fulham thought they had managed to bag a great win over one of their promotion rivals on the opening day, only to concede a late minute equaliser to Norwich. Despite losing those two points, Fulham were very good that day and the signs of just how good they are can be seen by everyone. They have added some quality players to their squad and look ready to mount a title challenge.
On Tuesday night they eased to a 2-0 away victory against Wycombe in a game where they were not really tested. Fulham will have much harder tests to come, starting with the one here away to Reading.
Team News
Reading will have to play this game without defender Tiago Ilori, who was sent off during the game against QPR last weekend. Elsewhere Jaap Stam gave debuts to three new signings in this game, with another coming on at half time. They have a few new players at the club and Stam probably doesn’t know his best eleven yet, but he will need to find it quickly and get his team going in the right direction.
I like what Fulham have done this summer and they now have a team that looks defensively solid, while being full of creativity going forward. They have many players who can score goals and it is only a matter of time before they start hitting the back of the net. This Fulham team looks to be the real deal on paper, with enough talent to allow them to make a few changes when legs are tired.
Top Betting Tips
I really like Fulham’s chances, not only to win this game but to gain promotion to the Premier League. With a solid looking defence and an attacking line up full of creativity and goal scoring options, I think they are going to go close and may even win the division. Reading on the other hand, look to be no better than a mid-table team right now and need to improve if they are to have a good chance of making the top half.
Fulham are just over evens to win the game, which is not great value for a team playing away from home so instead of backing that I will choose a correct score. I am going to back Fulham to win this game 2-0, which is available to back with William Hill at a juicy 11/1. They have a good attacking line up and I am looking forward to seeing them click. They look to have enough in the bag to beat Reading, and can also keep a clean sheet in the game. 2-0 to Fulham is my prediction in this one, and I am really looking forward to seeing more of Fulham this season.