Reading vs Birmingham City betting tips: Preview, predictions & odds

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Birmingham to win and over 2.5 goals

Reading have the worst defensive record in the league this season and Birmingham will be hoping to capitalise.

The Royals have conceded a shocking 62 times in 32 league matches.

Lee Bowyer’s side have also been in improved form recently having drawn away at Stoke and beaten Luton.

Onel Hernandez to score anytime (3/1)

Hernandez has already netted three times for Birmingham since arriving in January.

He is once again expected to start in attack with Lyle Taylor on Tuesday.

Match preview: Reading vs Birmingham City

Reading remain strongly threatened by relegation this season with the Royals now sitting in 21st.

Just five points separates them from the bottom three with Derby County now in pursuit of them.

On Tuesday, they will have a new man in the dugout with Veljko Paunović being sacked and Paul Ince replacing him as interim.

Paunović was sacked despite his side managing to secure a shock win on the weekend as they defeated Preston 3-2.

They have now gone two games without a defeat having ended a run of seven straight defeats.

Reading v Swansea City – Carabao Cup First Round READING, ENGLAND – AUGUST 10: A general view of the Madejski Stadium prior to the Carabao Cup First Round match between Reading and Swansea City at the Madejski Stadium on August 10, 2021 in Reading, England. (Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images)

Birmingham move clear of bottom three

Birmingham have now opened a 16 point gap between themselves and the bottom three.

The Blues have lost just twice in their last seven matches.

Lee Bowyer’s side managed to defeat Luton Town before holding Stoke to a 2-2 draw away from home.

The Midlands club produced an impressive performance at Stoke to earn a valuable point on Saturday.

Soccer – Sky Bet Championship – Birmingham City v Blackpool – St Andrew's General view of a Birmingham City crest next to the pitch at St Andrew’s (Photo by David Davies – PA Images via Getty Images)

Reading team news

Paul Ince will be several key players on Tuesday including Alen Haliovic, Scott Dann, Ovie Ejaria and Josh Laurent.

Femi Azeez, Dejan Tetek and Felipe Araruna are all also ruled out of the match.

Birmingham City team news

Troy Deeney remains sidelined for the Blues with an injury.

The defensive duo of Teden Mengi and Marc Roberts will also be missing.

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