Reading and Sheffield United were a similar price to win the Championship at the start of the season, although while the Royals have an outside chance of automatic promotion, the opposite can be said of the Blades.

Micky Adams’ side have been looking like relegation candidates for weeks and anything other than victory at the Madejski Stadium will mean that they drop down to League One. It’s time for a rousing performance and Ladbrokes offer 7/1 that the visitors pull something special out of the bag.

However, many people will view Reading as bankers on Monday and the best odds on offer about the home side is 2/5 with Paddy Power. Brian McDermott’s eight-game winning run came to an end at Elland Road on Friday, although it was no disgrace getting a point against Leeds.

It does mean that the Berkshire club look play-off bound although they are likely to warm up for the showdown in style on Monday, especially if they manage an early goal against a United team whose heads could easily drop.

Stan James offer a tempting 6/5 that Reading lead at half-time and full-time, while a 5-0 victory in their favour can be punted at 50/1 (Stan James – £25 free bets), something which could be worth a nibble considering that they have recently put four past Nottingham Forest and three past Leicester.

Shane Long is a 7/2 chance (Victor Chandler – £25 free bet) to open the scoring, with Noel Hunt on offer at 11/2 with the same firm.