Reading vs Brentford — Tips & Analysis

Brentford -1.5: Two divisions separate these teams, and Brentford have made it clear they want a run in this cup. They sit sixth in the Premier League after an unbeaten start, and they put six past Birmingham away in the last round. Manager Keith Andrews has said he is taking this competition very seriously. Reading are 14th in League One and they leak goals at their own ground. They have let in almost 2 goals a game across seven home games and lost four of them, including a 3-4 defeat by Luton. They also lost 1-2 at Cambridge last time out. Reading will have a go, because they score 2 goals a game at home, so this should be an open game rather than a dull one. The gap in finishing decides it. Brentford score almost 2 goals a game and let in fewer, and their front line is a level above anything Reading have faced. A 1-3 Brentford win is the likely night, with Reading landing a blow and the visitors answering twice over. The catch is Brentford's habit of tying games. They have tied 11 of their last 18 and have won by 2 or more goals only 3 times in that run. Heavy rotation is likely here too, and a much changed side can take time to click. We still think the class gap shows up on the scoreline.