Blackburn Rovers v Reading
EFL Championship. Kick Off: Wednesday 22nd August, 45 7.pm. Live on Sky Sports
BLACKBURN have made a strong start to life in the EFL Championship and sit 11th after 2 draws and a hard-earned 1-0 win at Hull on Saturday.
Reading fell to defeat by the same scoreline at home to a battling Bolton side, leaving them without a point from three games, scoring just one goal in the process.
In Bradley Dack, Blackburn have a player who is thriving under Tony Mowbray`s management. He scored what turned out to be the winner against Hull, and was a real creative force until limping off injured. Team news at the time of writing seems positive he can shake this off so let's hope he plays. Others like the experienced Danny Graham and young Geordie striker Adam Armstrong can also pose a threat to the Reading defence.
For all their endeavour Reading seem to have an early-season problem finding the net and were shown how to do it on Saturday when Yanic Wildschut went clear and beat Vito Mannone in the Reading goal with a cool finish, wrapping up the points for Bolton.
They had chances, just like the EFL opener against Derby, but were made to rue missing them. A 2-0 defeat of Birmingham in the EFL Cup was a win at least but will a run in that competition compensate for losing ground so early in the league?
Paul Clement knows his team need to turn this around fast but Mowbray and his squad will go into the first of three home games for Blackburn knowing momentum can be built to lift them up the table. Reading have real experience in their ranks such as John O`Shea, David Meyler and Mannone but they need results even this early in proceedings.
Wednesday night will be another serious test for them and they will be sure to battle. But they are expected to fall just short again.
Recommended Bets
- Bradley Dack to score first (5-1, bet365)
- Blackburn to win (8-11, bet365)
- Blackburn to win to nil (13-8, bet365)
