QPR vs. Reading Betting Tips: Three bets for Friday night clash

This weekend’s Championship action commences in the capital where Queens Park Rangers welcome Reading to Loftus Road on Friday evening, live on Sky Sports. 

Two sides that have both exceeded early expectations with the hosts sitting in fourth, one place and a point behind the Royals.

Despite their inferior league position, Micheal Beale’s side go off at a shade under evens. Their form goes a little way to explaining this price, QPR are unbeaten in their last four, winning three over that period which includes their most game, away at table topping Sheffield United.

The match winner at Bramall Lane Chris Willock, the R’s top goalscorer pulled up with a hamstring strain shortly after finding the net and looks unlikely to feature here. Lyndon Dykes will likely spearhead their attack in his absence. 

Paul Ince's side secured an equally impressive result at home to Norwich on Tuesday, fighting back for a point after going a goal down. Jeff Hendrick grabbed the goal, a man who will be doubly keen to put in another performance against his former employers.

There is no doubt that questions of the Royals durability remain, especially as we approach the winter and with such a lack of squad depth at Paul Ince’s disposal, it would be a minor miracle if they still occupy a top six spot come the turn of the year.

That being said, you cannot ignore their form. They have taken 22 points this season, only front runners Sheffield United and Norwich have accumulated more (24). However, with both dropping points in the midweek round of fixtures, victory in the big smoke could see Reading head into the weekend top of the pile. 

Taking the visitors with a +0.75 headstart on the asian handicap certainly appeals here at the prices available. It covers any away result and will only mean half a stake loss if Reading lose by one goal, which would have only lost in three of their 12 league games this season. 

QPR sit one place behind the Royals with a point less having won twice as many games as they have lost. Beale boys successfully did a number on the Blades in South Yorkshire, coming with a clear game plan to waste time in a low block, looking to hit them on the break. 

Chris Willock did exactly that, scoring the only goal of the game, however, pulled his hamstring moments later and you cannot underestimate the absence of the R’s top goalscorer on Friday.

Since Andy Carroll re-signed for the Royals and has returned to the starting XI, Jeff Hendrick has had more shots.

Without the former England international leading the line alongside Lucas Joao, Hendrick only attempted four shots in 10 appearances. With the big man as a vocal point upfront, Hendrick has racked up seven shots in two games, meeting this line comfortably in both fixtures. 

I am not going to pretend I am an avid follower of Ince’s Reading, but my lazy analysis is that playing with a presence such as Carroll, Reading will have being able to enjoy more possession higher up the pitch, allowing midfielders to get closer to the opposition goal on a more regular basis.

Hendrick racked up three shots against Huddersfield in his side's penultimate game, he is 7/1 to repeat the trick on Friday which has tempted me here. He then went one better on Tuesday vs the promotion chasing Canaries, he is 20/1 to repeat that feat and I would not put anyone off a small punt on this.

Best of luck if you are backing any of these selections and please remember to gamble responsibly.