Rotherham vs Reading prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2022-08-12 14:00.
As Rotherham United’s previous Championship game against Coventry City was postponed due to an unsuitable pitch, they’ve had extra time to prepare for their second league game of the season against Reading. They opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Swansea City, a match marred by crowd trouble, after which manager Paul Warne praised his “unbelievable set of players” for their performance.
Hoping his side rather than rowdy fans make the headlines, he’ll know if they’re to avoid a fourth consecutive relegation from the second tier, he must inspire improved home form as they’ve won just one of their last 11 matches here at this level (D2, L8). This is an excellent early test of Rotherham’s credentials as they haven’t beaten Reading in a home H2H in four attempts – all games in which they conceded exactly once (D2, L2).
Once might not be enough here though for Reading after each of their competitive games (W1, L2) this season saw them concede at least a goal, a run which now forms part of a streak of 11 straight games in which they failed to keep a clean sheet. Each of those three recent games saw them fall behind within the opening ten minutes and points at a continuation of problems that plagued them last season, when no Championship side conceded more often in the first 15 minutes (15 times) than The Royals.
That said, despite trailing early they hit back to beat Cardiff City 2-1 (August 6), leaving Reading manager Paul Ince delighted with his side’s fighting qualities. They might need to show them again as they look to break a sequence of three consecutive league away games in which they failed to score (L3).
Players to watch: Rotherham’s summer signing Conor Washington netted three of his last four league goals before half-time while Tom Ince’s stunner for Reading against Cardiff was his eighth consecutive league goal registered after the break.
Hot stat: Each of the last five H2Hs witnessed exactly one first-half goal.