Championship 5:30pm's

Reading v QPR

Kicking off later than most, QPR appeal as they make the trip to Reading. Jaap Stam was quick to build a side who played out from the back, and worked hard to ensure his side was hard to beat and solid defensively when he arrived at the helm, but more recently things begun to slide and he paid the price with his job over the weekend.

The side have won just twice since the start of December, with one of those coming against Stevenage in the Cup, and they have now conceded 15 goals in their last six matches! They play in front of their own fans in this one of course, but that hasn’t been a huge help – they haven’t won a home league game since beating Barnsley on 28th November – failing to beat Cardiff, Burton, Birmingham, Brentford, Millwall, Derby, Sheffield United, Bolton and Leeds since then. QPR should be smelling blood.

You could legitimately argue that motivation will be at play – Reading need to secure their Championship position, while QPR are now firmly seated in mid-table, but that didn’t stop them pulling out the stops to rescue a good point at Fulham, beat Aston Villa, and beat Sunderland in their last three. Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt, and back them at 2/1, especially with Idrissa Sylla, Jack Robinson and Josh Scowen back in contention.

1pt QPR to beat Reading at 2/1

Middlesbrough v Wolves

It’s very much squeaky-bum time at Wolves, as they attempt to close out the season as Champions. Of course, the main pressure is really off now, and a place in the Premier League looks certain, but with Cardiff holding a game in hand, any slip up could see a change at the top very quickly indeed.

So a trip to rejuvenated Middlesbrough is probably the last thing they need right now. Tony Pulis took a little while to get things sorted at Boro, but has now won eight from 12. His side have also scored three goals against each of Barnsley, Leeds and Hull in their last three home matches, so confidence is back on the up, the Play Offs look a solid prospect again, and Daniel Ayala is fit again!

Wolves could end that run of course, but recent defeats to Fulham and Aston Villa showed they are not world beaters, and they also dropped points against Preston and Norwich, and they will also be without leading scorer Diogo Jota.

For us, 2/1 looks a value investment on the hosts – they should surely be a good few ticks shorter.

1pt Middlesbrough to beat Wolves at 2/1

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