August 28 2008

The Football League

After a 4-0 defeat at Leeds, tipster Danny Hayes is sure Neil Warnock couldn't think of many worse places to take his out-of-form side than the Madjeski Stadium.

Just two goals against the mighty Hereford are all Palace have to show for themselves in five games so far this season.

But more worrying was the fact that even with three of our more experienced and reliable defenders against Leeds on Tuesday night we still managed to leak four goals. Warnock will be expecting a reaction but that may not be good enough.

The Royals are blessed with quality all over the pitch and although it is notoriously difficult for sides after they’ve been relegated, Reading have shown enough this season to think they are going to be in the reckoning for automatic promotion come May.

Against Charlton last week their defence looked ragged but against a Palace frontline with about as much confidence as the country in Gordon Brown they will not have to be at their best to keep a clean sheet.

Palace will no doubt set out to frustrate former Eagles legend Steve Coppell and his side but I doubt they can hold out against the quality on offer from Reading for the full 90 minutes and with it looking increasingly difficult to see where the Eagles next goal is coming from then the 10/11 on a Reading victory does look good value.

Back Reading @ 10/11 with Betfred.

Also in the Championship there are a few short prices to make up into a treble this weekend. Birmingham have looked good so far this season and can maintain their winning ways at Norwich.

Swansea can grind out a victory at home to Sheffield Wednesday, while Wolves should have far too much firepower for Nottingham Forest who also had a tough 120 minutes against Sunderland in midweek.

Back Birmingham, Swansea & Wolves Treble @ 8/1 with Coral.