Luton Town failed to squeeze a single point out of Reading in League One last season and it proved costly.
The Royals snatched a late winner to pip the Hatters 3-2 at the Madejski Stadium in December and then struck twice in the last 10 minutes to come from behind to win by the same scoreline at Kenilworth Road in March.
Since Jack Wilshere's men only missed out on the play-offs by a single point, those two setbacks proved to be painful and damaging blows.
That 3-2 loss at home to Reading was a rare blip in an otherwise excellent end to term for Luton who would hope to be in the thick of the League One automatic promotion battle this time round.
Last weekend's comprehensive 3-0 win at Gillingham in the EFL Cup was a significant win albeit against lower-league opposition, while the Royals were being put through the mill by promoted Bromley, eventually getting up on penalties.
Reading v Luton Town Tips Summary
Best Bet - Luton Town to win @ 23/20
Alternative Bet - Over 2.5 goals @ 17/20
Bet Builder - Nahki Wells anytime scorer, Over 5 Luton corners & Luton to win either half @ 7/1
Reading v Luton Town Prediction
Best Bet: Luton Town to win @ 23/20
Luton streaked well clear of Reading at the back end of last season and the sense is there could well be a gap between the two sides this year.
Both clubs have enjoyed good summers, both have made good signings, but the Hatters look to be in a better place.
Certainly Reading could have an issue up front. The occasionally classy Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan has been sold, rising star Sean Patton is out and main marksman Andy Marriott is a major doubt.
Those are serious negatives which mean Jacob Brown, released by Luton in May, could be set to star against his former club.
Town boss Wilshere has few such issues as he looks to build on last season's flying finish, so trust the ex-Arsenal man's Hatters to get it right on the opening day.
Alternative Bet: Over 2.5 goals @ 17/20
Both games between these two sides last season yielded 3-2 wins for Reading, so expect goals again.
Eleven of Luton's last 14 matches have produced three goals or more and Wilshere does want them to be positive.
Reading, with flair out wide and a constant goal threat in Lewis Wing, can play their part in a game set to feature at least three goals.
Reading v Luton Town Bet Builder Tip
Nahki Wells anytime scorer
Over 5 Luton corners
Luton to win either half
Pays 7/1
Town hotshot Nahki Wells ended last season in good form with six goals from the back end of February, including two to help his team win the EFL Trophy at Wembley.
He also summered well with four goals in four friendly matches and at the weekend grabbed his first goal of this season in his side's first game, scoring the opener in the 3-0 win at Gillingham.
That all smacks of a striker in good nick who should be taken to find the net at Reading at any time as the first leg of the Saturday Bet Builder.
Only Bolton Wanderers and Cardiff City won more corners per game than Luton last term, the Hatters winning an average 6.1 per game.
They won 15 in two showdowns with the Royals last season, so take them to win over five this weekend.
Luton have won either half in each of their last 13 fixtures. The very least we can expect is for them to repeat that feat here.
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Key Match Stats
Reading finished 12th in League One last season on 63 points, 11 points behind Luton who missed out on the play-offs by a solitary point
The Royals kicked off their season with a hard-earned 1-1 draw at Bromley in the League Cup, a tie they won on penalties
Luton made light of a potentially awkward trip to Gillingham in the same competition, running out 3-0 winners
Reading are now without a 90-minute win in seven games, losing each of their last three home fixtures last season
Jack Wilshere's Hatters are now unbeaten in 13 matches since they were beaten 3-2 at home by Reading in March
Reading won both of last season's meetings between the sides by 3-2 scorelines
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
