Saturday’s FA Cup third round throws up an all-Championship affair as promotion chasers Reading and Watford face off in Berkshire.
Watford find themselves firmly in the play-off picture as they sit in fourth place in the Championship standings ahead of their trip to their division rivals this weekend.
Meanwhile the Royals are sat in 13th place in the table but, in such a competitive division, only find themselves three points off sixth place ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup duties
Reading vs Watford Betting Tips
Team news
Reading were boosted by the return of the former Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers defender Scott Dann last time out in what was just his second start for the Royals since manager Paul Ince took charge.
After almost nine months out on the sidelines due to a serious hamstring injury, Dann was back in the starting line-up but could not prevent Reading from suffering a 1-0 defeat at West Brom on Monday afternoon.
Ince is likely to offer Dann another starting role to get more minutes under his belt against Watford, while the Royals boss will have to decide whether to start striker Andy Carroll after he drew a blank against the Baggies.
Having won the FA Cup twice during his time playing for Manchester United, Ince says he will respect the competition with his selection but “won’t go fully for it” with a strongest side.
As for Watford, boss Slaven Bilic will have to make do without leading goalscorer Joao Pedro as the talented Brazilian forward continues to recover from ankle ligament damage.
Imran Louza, Tom Cleverley and Kortney Hause also remain on the sidelines, while Edo Kayembe and Hamza Choudhury are nearing a return, but Saturday’s game might come just too soon for the pair.
Watford half-time result @ 11/5
Watford will be eager to make a bright start in this game as they look to secure what would be a sixth win in their last seven meetings in all competitions against Reading.
The Hornets were leading at half-time in both of their last two games against the Royals and are well priced to be on top at the break this weekend.
Watford to win to nil @ 7/2
Watford have managed to keep three clean sheets in their last four away games and will be looking to shut out the Royals on their own patch on Saturday.
The Hornets won their last two games against Reading 2-0 and a similar scoreline could be on the cards at Select Car Leasing Stadium in this FA Cup clash.
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