Reading vs Southampton

There is a top of the table clash at St Mary\'s on Friday night as Nigel Adkins\' Saints face Brian McDermott\'s Royals and Willie Duncan is backing the away side to bag a win.The top two sides in the Championship go head-to-head on Friday night as Southampton welcome Reading to St Mary’s Stadium for what promises to be an absorbing encounter between two in-form teams.Southampton sit proudly at the top of the Championship by virtue of goal difference from Reading, and Nigel Adkins’ Saints side will also have home advantage in this match, which could go a long way to deciding the outcome of this year’s league title race.With that in mind, Southampton are chalked up as 5/4 (2.25) favourites with Sportingbet to pick up all three points on Friday.The Royals, who have one of the most impressive away records in the division, are priced up with the same firm as 37/20 (2.85) shots to upset the hosts. The draw is available at 9/4 (3.25) with Sportingbet.Both sides have only lost one of their last 10 matches coming into this fixture and both were boosted by away wins in midweek. Southampton coasted to a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace while Reading were 1-0 winners against Brighton.Southampton are generally strong at home and a 1-0 victory for the Saints is priced up at 13/2 (7.50) with Sportingbet while the same firm offers 8/1 (9.0) for those who wish to back Nigel Adkins’ side to win 2-1Reading, though, are almost as formidable away from home as they are at the Madejski Stadium and they are unlikely to be intimidated at St Mary’s on Friday night.Brian McDermott’s side have won 12 of their matches on the road in the division this term, including a highly impressive 4-2 win against West Ham United recently.Sportingbet’s quote of 15/2 (8.50) for a 1-0 win seems decent value as does the juicy 9/1 (10.0) quote for the Royals to record a 2-1 success.With such an impressive away record, the value lies with the Royals and they should be backed to stun the Saints on Friday night as the main bet in this game.