Cambridge United vs Reading tips: Royals face uphill battle as they eye return to winning ways

Date, KO time and TV coverage

League One, Monday, September 4, Kick-off 20:00, live on Sky Sports

Predicted score

Cambridge United 1-1 Reading 

Suggested bets

Match result – draw

Both teams to score 

Verdict

Reading have endured a difficult start to life in League One, kicking off the campaign with two wins and three defeats from their opening five games. 

Just when things were looking up following successive victories over Cheltenham and Stevenage, Ruben Selles and his men were beaten 2-1 by Exeter courtesy of a last-minute goal. 

To make matters worse, the Royals were then knocked out of the Carabao Cup following a penalty shootout defeat to Ipswich Town.

Cambridge United have also enjoyed a mixed start to the campaign, racking up three wins and three defeats across all competitions. 

Mark Bonner’s men picked up a 2-0 victory over Bristol Rovers a fortnight ago but followed that up with a 2-0 defeat away at Leyton Orient.

Nevertheless, Cambridge will be encouraged by their home form which has seen them win five of their last seven outings at Abbey Stadium – including games from last season. 

Reading, on the other hand, have been woeful on the road for some time, bagging just one win from their last 16 away matches. 

Improving that statistic will be far easier said than done against a Cambridge side who have already kept three clean sheets this season. 

Scoring goals is also not a problem for the U’s who have already scored seven in five league outings. 

Then again, expect Reading to put on a fight after pushing in-form Championship side Ipswich to the limit in the cup. 

A close contest is on the cards this Monday night and we’re backing the draw in the outright market. Both teams to score is also an enticing option in the betting.