Reading vs Cardiff City Preview

Jon Wilde 23 Jan 2020

Reading vs Cardiff City predictions for their FA Cup tie on Saturday
We are backing this fourth-round match to go to a replay
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Reading

FA Cup

15:00

25 Jan

Cardiff City

Home

7/5

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Draw

12/5

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Away

41/20

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Odds correct at the time of writing

Reading vs Cardiff City Score Prediction

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1-1 draw 6/1

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Reading vs Cardiff City Match Info

Date: Saturday January 25 2020
Kick-off time: 3.00pm GMT
Venue: Madejski Stadium
Referee: Marc Edwards

Reading vs Cardiff City Head-To-Head Record

Last 3 matches (all league games)

August 18 2019: Reading 3-0 Cardiff City

May 6 2018: Cardiff City 0-0 Reading
December 11 2017: Reading 2-2 Cardiff City

Total head-to-head matches played (all competitions): 69
Reading wins: 24
Cardiff wins: 23
Draws: 22

Reading vs Cardiff City Stats

This is the seventh FA Cup match between these clubs, both having won two each in 90 minutes with two draws
Those six games took place across five ties, Reading progressing three times and Cardiff twice
Reading hosted only one of those six FA Cup meetings and it finished as a 1-1 draw

Reading vs Cardiff City Match Preview

Everything about this FA Cup fourth-round tie suggests it will be close – and we are backing a replay to be needed to determine which of these clubs advances to the last 16.

Historically, there has been little between Reading and Cardiff in their head-to-head meetings, apart from in the League Cup where the Welsh club have won both ties. But in every other competition, it has been extremely tight (see above).

That is especially true in the FA Cup and also the Championship this season, in which the duo are separated by only two points and two positions just below halfway in the table.

The play-offs remain possible but unlikely for each – and therefore an FA Cup run to the latter stages, if they can avoid the top Premier League teams, could provide a way of enlivening the second half of the campaign for whoever advances.

In terms of current form, Reading have improved considerably since Mark Bowen took over as their manager in October, with their defensive record in particular much better, while Cardiff are also difficult to beat under Neil Harris but they are drawing too many games.

It’s actually seven stalemates in their last 10 matches for the Bluebirds and in view of just how tight it has often been when these clubs have met down the years, a rematch further west along the M4 looks a distinct possibility.

MORE: Get tips for other FA Cup matches on our FA Cup predictions page. Plus, if you want today’s strongest football tip, visit our Bet of the Day page. We have lots more free football tips across the rest of our site and you can also follow our latest bets on Twitter at @FootballTips