The weekend’s League One schedule has been trimmed to five fixtures, including Saturday’s key contest at Edgeley Park where second-placed Stockport County take on sixth-placed Reading.
Stockport should be sensing a big opportunity given that a victory would see them move level on points with League One leaders Huddersfield.
Jimmy McNulty’s side have taken 26 points from 14 fixtures, although their recent league results have been a mixed bag with points dropped on trips to Notts County (1-1) and Oxford (0-1), before a hard-fought victory at home to AFC Wimbledon (2-1).
The Hatters have won five of their seven home fixtures, although four of those successes were against teams sitting in the bottom seven positions.
However, visitors Reading will be under no illusions that they will be in for a difficult test.
The Royals see themselves as one of the bigger clubs at the level and are targeting the minimum of a top-six finish.
They are hanging on to a playoff place thanks largely to their efforts at home, but head coach Leam Richardson will be well aware of the need for improved performances and results on the road.
Richardson’s side have won just one of their seven away league games, but they gave a glimpse of their potential in the FA Cup first round with a 5-0 victory away to divisional rivals Peterborough.
Stockport County v Reading Tips Summary
Best Bet - Draw @ 27/10
Alternative Bet - 2-2 correct score @ 11/1
Bet Builder - Jack Marriott to score anytime, Over 3 goals & Stockport to get the most corners @ 9/2
Stockport County v Reading Prediction
Best Bet: Draw @ 27/10
Reading have shared the spoils in three of their seven league away matches and they can dig out a point against Stockport.
It is slightly surprising that Reading have won only once on their league travels, because they have some exciting attacking players and can be especially dangerous from counter-attacking situations.
Pacy Royals’ wingers Daniel Kyerewaa and Kyreece Lisbie are difficult to contain and they provide plenty of service for striker Jack Marriott, who is fourth in the third-tier scoring charts with eight goals from nine appearances.
Stockport will be aware of Reading’s threats, but they are unlikely to change their front-foot style of football.
The Hatters are used to dominating possession and territory, but they can leave themselves exposed at the back, as was the case in the mid-September fixture at home to Leicester when they fell on the wrong side of a 4-3 scoreline.
Stockport always play to win, but they may have to do plenty of defending and might have to be content with a high-scoring draw.
Alternative Bet: 2-2 correct score @ 11/1
Reading usually back themselves to outscore their opponents and they will take on their highflying hosts with a positive mindset.
The Berkshire side drew 2-2 at Bristol Rovers in Tuesday’s EFL Trophy tie and they might have to be content with the same outcome against Stockport, who are the third-highest scorers (26 goals) in the division.
Stockport County v Reading Bet Builder Tip
Jack Marriott to score anytime
Over 3 goals
Stockport to win the most corners
Pays 9/2
The biggest danger to the home defence will be Jack Marriott, who seems to be getting back to his best after a spell on the sidelines.
Marriott scored his last league goals in mid-September when bagging a brace in a 2-0 win at home to Notts County.
However, the 32-year-old was on target in last Saturday’s 5-0 triumph at Peterborough in the FA Cup first round, and he can have his say in an entertaining, evenly matched encounter.
Stockport have racked up 104 League One corners (the second highest in the division) and they can win the flag-kick count this weekend.
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Key Match Stats
Stockport are unbeaten in their last five home games
Three of Stockport’s last six home fixtures have generated at least four goals
Reading have lost only one of their last six games
Two of Reading’s last three away draws have generated a 2-2 scoreline
Reading have scored multiple goals in three of their last five fixtures
Four of the last five matches between Stockport and Reading have generated goals for both teams
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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.
