Reading v Cardiff predictions: Royals can keep playoff dream alive

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Reading v Cardiff in the Championship on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Football, 6pm Friday

Best bet

Reading
1pts 6-5 general

Team news

Reading
Midfielder John Swift has returned to fitness for the first time since February while Omar Richards is also available. Michael Morrison, Tom McIntyre and Felipe Araruna are all out.

Cardiff
Dillon Phillips could come back in for Alex Smithies in goal while Sean Morrison is doubtful. Sol Bamba, Joe Bennett, Joel Bagan, Lee Tomlin and Isaac Vassell are sidelined.

Match preview

Reading's Championship playoff ambitions suffered a major blow when they were beaten 2-0 by Watford last weekend but the Royals can stay in touch with the top six by seeing off Cardiff at the Madejski Stadium.

With five games of the season remaining, Reading find themselves five points adrift of Bournemouth and Barnsley, and anything less than a win for Veljko Paunovic's men would all but end their chances of a top-six finish.

Having spent virtually all of the 2020-21 season in the playoff places, Reading's challenge began to ebb away last month but the same is true of Cardiff, who are 12 points short of sixth and have no hope after picking up just one point in their last three matches.

They were unfortunate to concede a late equaliser against Blackburn last time out but the Bluebirds had previously lost 5-0 at Sheffield Wednesday, bringing an emphatic end to an eight-match unbeaten run away from home.

While there is no doubt that Cardiff have improved under Mick McCarthy, they have little left to play for and that is reflected in the odds for what would otherwise be a tight contest, with Reading clear favourites in the match betting.

Paunovic's men have stalled recently but they have remained solid at the Madejski, winning three of their last four home matches, scoring eight goals in the process, and they can be backed to bag three points.

Key stat

Reading are unbeaten in ten matches against Cardiff in all competitions.

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