Takeover comes too late to help Royals ahead of Wolves raid

Reading have won three and drawn the other of the last four meetings with Wolverhampton Wanderers, yet Coral make the visitors to Berkshire 6/4 favourites for three points.

Going into the weekend, Wolves sat third in the Championship table, one off the top, while the Royals, who are 2/1 for a home win here, were down in 11th. A draw is priced up at 9/4.

It’s true these teams have seldom occupied the same division in recent times, though it should be noted Wanderers beat Reading over two legs in the Championship play-offs in 2003. Wolves went on to be promoted by beating Sheffield United in the final, and they are 3/1 to go up this season.

Although Senegal attackers Nouha Dicko and Bakary Sako are in favour under Kenny Jackett at Wanderers, Leon Clarke may be the horse for this particular course. During his first spell at Molineux, the striker netted three times in two outings against the Royals. Clarke is 15/8 for a goal anytime.

Wolves may need him here, as Dicko has been having treatment on a hamstring strain. League top scorer Sako, however, is better value at 2/1 for a goal here. They will be the main threats to the hosts.

Nigel Adkins can recall Glenn Murray and Oliver Norwood after both were cup-tied in midweek and, all of a sudden, Reading have options in the final third. Wales winger Hal Robson-Kanu made his return in the Capital One Cup defeat at Derby County and is 7/2 to score anytime.

Murray, meanwhile, is the Royals’ favourite to net in this match at 5/4, ahead of leading marksman Simon Cox, who bagged a brace in the last home outing, at 6/4. Fellow wide forwards Jamie Mackie and Nick Blackman are each 2/1 chances to be on target here.

Backing Wolves momentum over Reading potential, as although they’ve been taken over there will be no tangible flexing of Thai investors’ financial muscle until January, seems to be your best bet. A 2-1 away win looks tempting at 9/1, with a Wanderers victory and both teams being on target tasty at 4/1.