Reading v Stoke: Prediction, betting preview and free tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Reading v Stoke City in the Championship on Saturday

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Football, 12.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Lucas Joao first scorer
1pt each-way 6-1 bet365

Team news

Reading
Ovie Ejaria (muscle strain) is expected to recover from a minor injury and Yakou Meite (ankle) and Liam Moore (foot) are doubts. John Swift (hamstring) and Felipe Araruna (knee) are ruled out but Sam Baldock (calf) and Andy Yiadom (knee) returned to action this week.

Stoke
Nathan Collins (hamstring), James Chester (calf) and Sam Clucas (calf and shin) were unavailable for Stoke's 3-2 loss at Watford on Wednesday.

Match preview

Portuguese centre-forward Lucas Joao has scored nine of Reading's 20 goals this season and looks the likeliest candidate to break the deadlock against Stoke at the Madejski Stadium.

The Royals have lost their last two matches, including a 3-0 loss at home to Preston on Wednesday, but they are three points clear at the top and should be stronger against Stoke with key creative midfielder Ovie Ejaria expected to be back in contention.

Clinical finishing has been a key factor for the Royals, who have lost the shot count in four of their five home league matches (all victories), and a lot of the best moments have been supplied by Joao, who looks a good value first-scorer pick this weekend.

Stoke's performances have been improving but they had some poor defensive moments in a 3-2 loss at Watford on Wednesday and any further errors could be punished by Reading's leading marksman.

Key stat

Lucas Joao has scored in four of his last five appearances.

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