Reading vs West Brom prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2022-10-14 14:00.
Last week’s 2-1 loss against QPR was not enough to dislodge Reading from the Championship top six, as they continue to move on from the horrors of last season. Boss Paul Ince remains optimistic, particularly praising Andy Carroll, after he netted the maiden goal of his second spell with the Royals ahead of this reunion with Carroll’s former club West Bromwich Albion.
In clawing back a point against title-tipped Norwich in their last outing at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, Reading added to an impressive home league record (W5, D1, L1). However, their run of four home games without a clean sheet provides some cause for concern, especially as they now face a side they’ve failed to beat in six H2Hs (D2, L4).
A club once famed for instant rebounds into the Premier League, West Brom now fear playing third tier football for the first time in 30 years. They enter this weekend in the bottom three after a 0-0 draw against Luton that saw the axe finally fall on Steve Bruce, after a ninth game without victory for the Baggies across all competitions (D5, L4).
With Sean Dyche, who was twice promoted out of the Championship as Burnley boss over the past decade amongst the frontrunners to replace Bruce, there is much excitement around the Hawthorns. For now, interim manager Richard Beale has a tough task in making the transition optimally smooth, perhaps starting with tipping the balance on an even H2H record across West Brom’s last five visits here (W2, D1, L2).
Players to watch: Jeff Hendrick rescued a draw for Reading in their last home game with his first club goal in over a year. West Brom’s Karlan Ahearne-Grant is much more free-scoring and still accounts for the Baggies’ most recent away point salvaged from a deficit. Grant also scored a late winner in last season’s visit here, though his previous three decisive Championship away goals had all arrived inside the first 20 minutes!
Hot stat: Four of the last five Championship H2Hs have produced a goalless first half.