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Reading are still struggling with the memories of what could have been. The Royals were one step away from the big money matches of the Premier League in 2016-17. Beaten by Huddersfield in the Championship playoff final on penalties, Reading spent last season fighting relegation. The team never moved above 14th and finished the year in 20th position, just two points above the relegation scrapheap. Reading fans can get great match odds here with Genting and never miss a kick of the Championship. This season has been unfortunately similar for Reading.

Manager Paul Clement was sacked on December 6 last year and 16 days later, well-travelled football coach Jose Gomes was installed as boss. Gomes’ had a rocky start as Reading lost four of his first five matches in charge.

Reading are out of the relegation zone for now just ahead of both Rotherham and Bolton Wanderers. Can Reading survive the drop again this season? Or will a second great escape fall just short?

Reading must score more goals

Basingstoke Gazette:

Goalscoring has been an issue for Reading the last two seasons. The team has tallied 34 goals in 33 games this term; which is an average of just 1.1 goals per game. Forward Jon Dadi Bodvarsson leads the Royals in goals with seven. He has been Reading’s most top scorer but he hasn’t found the back of the net since September 29. The Icelandic forward suffered a broken bone in his back in November forcing him out of the team.

Bodvarsson has missed large chunks of the season. Fourteen times Bodvarsson has been left out of the squad, including against Blackburn Rovers on February 13. The forward hasn’t played a full 90 minutes since he scored his last Championship goal in September. The team needs him fit and in-form to push up the table and tally goals. Had he not got injured, who knows where Reading would be in the standings.

Reading have been held to clean sheets 12 times in 33 matches by opponents. Gomes must continue to find ways to unlock opposition defences and get his leading scorer back in-form. Reading have capable forwards in their team. Even letting former Celtic team youth player Marc McNulty join Hibs on loan won’t hurt the side.

Win six-pointers

Basingstoke Gazette:

Reading are fourth favourite for the drop with this bookmaker while Rotherham are third.

Can Reading survive the drop again this season? Absolutely. They must continue to stay competitive, be opportunistic, and pick up points under Gomes’ leadership. Reading must also beat the teams around them. For the second straight season, Reading can beat the drop and achieve another great escape.