Fulham returned to the Championship summit with a 4-1 success at Birmingham on Wednesday but just one point covers the top four clubs and Marco Silva’s side will be aiming to extend their slender advantage when facing struggling Reading at Craven Cottage.
Any slip up from the Londoners would encourage the rest of the top four – West Brom, Bournemouth and Coventry – who face testing trips to Preston, Cardiff and Millwall respectively.
Free-Scoring Fulham Can Stay On the Goal Trail
The Championship’s best attack faces it’s joint-worst defence at Craven Cottage and the upshot could be a goal-glut with leaders Fulham likely to enjoy themselves against 18th-placed Reading.
Marco Silva’s side are 4/9 to pick up their sixth league win of the season and can make haste against a Reading side who remain pointless on their travels.
Fulham have scored more than two goals in three of their last six league outings and 37/20 that they bag at least three against the Royals looks an attractive wager.
Reading will be aware of Fulham’s offensive quality but their chances of keeping things tight could be impacted by injuries.
First choice goalkeeper Rafael Cabral was absent with a hand injury for Tuesday’s 3-1 success at home to Peterborough, while central defender Liam Moore hobbled off just before half-time and was seen leaving the stadium on crutches.
Reading got the job done but they face a more severe examination against Fulham and are unlikely to cope.
Cherries Can Pick Up Another Win
Only two Championship sides remain unbeaten after seven games, including Scott Parker’s Bournemouth, who look tempting 29/20 shots to defeat Cardiff in South Wales.
Parker was in charge of the Fulham side which won 2-1 against Brentford in the 2019-20 Championship playoff final, but a top six finish is probably seen as a minimum requirement for his new employers.
Bournemouth are aiming to give Fulham and West Brom a run for their money in the race for automatic promotion and are well-placed after successive home wins over Barnsley (3-0) and QPR (2-1).
Those recent contests showcased the abilities of two of their talented youngsters with left back Jordan Zemura finding the net twice in the win against Barnsley and winger Jaidon Anthony delivering a superb goal and a clever assist against QPR.
Bournemouth’s squad has a nice mix of talented youngsters and Premier League experience, including veteran centre-back Gary Cahill, who will be key to repelling Cardiff’s considerable aerial threat.
Cardiff are a tall side with Aden Flint, Sean Morrison and Kieffer Moore offering huge threats from set pieces but they were poor in a 1-0 loss at Coventry on Wednesday and may suffer a second defeat in four days.
Expect a Bounce-Back From Birmingham
Birmingham were taught a harsh lesson by Fulham in a 4-1 defeat on Wednesday but they look a better team than last season and can get back to winning ways against lowly Peterborough at London Road.
Lee Bowyer’s team conceded early against a high quality Fulham side and never really looked like recovering.
However, they remain unbeaten on their Championship travels – taking seven points from nine – and look worthy 13/10 favourites to see off Posh, who remained in the drop zone after a 3-1 loss at injury-hit Reading.
*All odds correct at time of writing.