Bitesize Prediction: Reading vs Port Vale – 20/02/24

Competition: League One

Market: Reading win

Odds: 19/20 @ Pribet

Desperate to extend their buffer over the drop zone on Tuesday night, Reading will welcome Port Vale to the Madejski.

Starting with the hosts, eventually falling to a 4-1 drumming at the hands of promotion contenders Portsmouth over the weekend, Reading are certainly seeking an immediate response here. However, while the Royals might be dealing with a string of issues behind the scenes in Berkshire, Ruben Selles’ men have skyrocketed their way out of the drop zone and should be smelling a golden opportunity here. Losing just one of their previous seven appearances across all competitions over the past month, Reading should also be excited by their extended success on home soil. Last seen at the Madejski claim a deserved 2-0 victory against Charlton, Selles’ side have not suffered a single defeat in front of their own supporters since back on December 9th. Likewise, mustering 14 points from their previous six League One showdowns in front of their own supporters, Selles’ men have also shipped just one goal in over 270 minutes of action in Berkshire.

As for the visitors, although Port Vale might have eventually clung to their League One status last season, Port Vale are enduring another third-tier struggle. Last seen over the weekend falling to an action-packed 3-2 defeat against Cheltenham, new boss Darren Moore appears to have a real job on his hands this year. Failing to claim a single win from any of their seven appearances since opening 2024, the former Sheffield Wednesday boss will also have a mounting headache over his side’s glaring defensive struggles. Including a 3-0 drumming against Fleetwood earlier in the month, Port Vale have recorded just a single clean sheet since the start of December. Facing what could be a stern challenge here, Moore’s side have also gained a reputation for their issues on the road. In fact, the Valiants have lost all of their last three showdowns outside of Stoke by an aggregate score of 8-3.

Bet: Reading 19/20 to beat Port Vale in Tuesday’s League One battle @ Pribet