Reading have been tipped to reach the play-offs as manager Ruben Selles continues to perform wonders at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
It’s been a turbulent few years for the Royals, as off-field antics surrounding owner Dai Yongge continues to dominate the headlines. However, on the pitch, Reading have been quietly going about their business and currently find themselves on the fringes of the League One play-off places in seventh.
Although they have only won one of their last four league outings, it is worth noting that all four games were away from home. They did pick up a valuable point against fellow promotion hopefuls Barnsley at Oakwell last weekend, following on from an excellent 2-1 win over Peterborough United.
They return to home soil this weekend for the first time when they take on non-league Harborough Town in the FA Cup. They then return to league action on Tuesday against relegation-threatened Cambridge United.
Reading Predicted To Earn Play-Off Place
With some of the teams in and around the top six faltering in recent weeks, data analyst specialists Opta believe Reading will finish sixth this season, the final play-off place in League One. This is thanks in part to the poor form of both Barnsley and Lincoln City, who are winless in their last three and four games respectively.
With the numbers crunched, it is said that the Royals are expected to pick up three more points than seventh-placed Lincoln, earning them a shot at promotion. If the table was to come to fruition, Selles would have to prepare his team to have Huddersfield Town in the two-legged semi-final, with the Terriers predicted to finish third.
Wrexham and Bolton Wanderers would make up the four play-off teams, finishing fourth and fifth respectively.
Writer’s View
It’s a testament to the job that Ruben Selles has done at Reading to see them in the conversation for a play-off place. He has produced miracles on the pitch on a shoe-string budget, witnessed at the attacking end of the pitch in particular. With 26 goals so far this season, only four teams have scored more in the division. The fact they are still in the upper reaches of the table having played four consecutive away games is a phenomenal achievement. Having lost at home just once this season, the visit of struggling Cambridge on Tuesday could see them move into the top six.
Head of Writing
