The most interesting Championship game on Friday will see promotion chasers Leeds United host high-flying Reading in what should be an entertaining encounter at Elland Road. Desperately needing a win to stay in contention for the play-off places, the hosts have no choice but to attack, whereas the Royals are looking for the eighth consecutive victory.

Leeds slowly losing ground

Having beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford while they were still playing in the third tier of English football, it was little wonder that Leeds United were tipped as one of the candidates for three places in the Premier League immediately upon gaining promotion to the Championship. While the Whites were pretty impressive during the first part of the season, they have started to struggle of late and they are now in danger of missing out on the play-off places. With their scoring record second to none in the Championship, Leeds United clearly have no problems in attack, but their awful defensive record currently stands between them and the promotion to the Premier League. Seeing the Whites are now just two points clear of Nottingham Forest, Hull and Burnley, they simply have to win this game in order to remain in sixth place, meaning the hosts are likely to attack Reading from the off.

Boss Simon Grayson is pondering changes to both his formation and the starting line-up, with striker Luciano Becchio a doubt with a knee problem.

Reading red hot at the moment

Nobody saw Reading as one of the candidates for promotion before the season started and midway through the league campaign it looked as though the Royals won’t even be able to enter the race for play-off places. However, Brian McDermott’s side then showed a massive improvement in their showings, winning no less than seven straight league games, with the magnificent run bringing them to the brink of the automatic promotion places. With just four games to go, Reading have secured the place in the play-offs, while they trail second-place Cardiff by just three points. The Royals have been thoroughly impressive on the travels this season, with 8-8-5 record the perfect proof and even though they have yet to win at Elland Road, Reading look likely to cause the hosts a lot of problems, having scored at least two goals in nine out of last ten games.

Striker Noel Hunt is a doubt with a foot injury, while Alex Pearce is in contention after recovering from a thigh problem.

Verdict

The highest scoring side in the Championship will give their best to win this game after chairman Ken Bates said the footballers were playing for their jobs, and with Reading in amazing form at the moment, we are likely to see goals galore at Elland Road.

Our prediction: Over 3 goals

Odds: 2.08 (27/25)

Bookmaker: 188BET