/ Richard / 12 April 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Rickie Lambert has notched 26 league goals and opened the scoring on 14 separate occasions
"Reading need just seven points from their last four to guarantee a spot in next season’s Premier League."
These two are leading the charge to the top flight and Friday night's meeting should see Southampton take a giant stride towards being crowned champions...
Southampton v Reading, Friday 19:45, Sky Sports 1, Match odds: Southampton [2.36], Reading [3.35], The Draw [3.45]
The Saints have long been involved in a two-horse race for the title, with the subtle difference that it is now Reading rather than West Ham who are mounting the challenge.
The pair are tied on 82 points and though automatic promotion is undoubtedly the main prize, both will be gunning to finish top of the pile. The Saints, who have led for much of the way, are [1.87] to go up as champions, while Reading are currently [2.18] to overhaul them.
A spectacular run of 13 wins in 15 fixtures has seen the Royals into second and they need just seven points from their last four to guarantee their spot in next season's Premier League.
But they will have their work cut out to take anything from a trip to the south coast, where Nigel Adkins' side have lost just twice in the Championship all season. The Saints have won four and lost none of their previous seven league fixtures at St Mary's.
And while Brian McDermott's side are certainly no soft touch on their travels, they have shown signs of vulnerability away from home in recent weeks. Reading were held to a draw at Doncaster, before succumbing to a 3-1 defeat at London Road. But normal service has since been resumed, with hard-fought wins at fellow promotion chasers West Ham and latterly Brighton.
Eight of Southampton's previous ten league fixtures at St Mary's have produced fewer than three goals, seven featuring exactly two. Meanwhile, Reading's last two contests have contained a total of just three goals.
To score
In Rickie Lambert and Billy Sharp, Southampton possess the league's most potent strike force. The pair have 41 league goals between them and have netted nine in the Saints' last six clashes. The Championship's player of the year will be available at around [2.42] to score at any time, with Sharp at [3.05].
Best Bet: Southampton to win @ [2.36]
Other Recommended Bet: Under 2.5 goals @ [1.92]
Reading have been the outstanding form side in the Championship says Hannah Duncan, with their latest victory moving them level on points with Southampton, three days before the clubs clash in a huge Friday night encounter....
West Ham's home form is a huge cause for concern, and they'll do really well to turn it around against an in-form Birmingham side says Mike Norman....
It's all about momentum at this stage of the season, and Reading have it says Andrew French as the Royals look to cement their promotion push by beating inconsistent Leeds....
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