Opta Stats: Reading v Chelsea

30Jan 2013

England - Premier League

Reading are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table, which Chelsea push for the Champions League. We look at the statistics that define their seasons.

Reading have won just one point in their previous five Premier League meetings with Chelsea (D1 L4). Chelsea can be backed at 1.52 for the win.

Reading have lost a league-high 20 points from leading positions this season, with three of these points coming in the reverse fixture, as Reading led 2-1 until the 69th minute and eventually lost 4-2 at Stamford Bridge. Reading half-time/Chelsea full-time is available at 27.0.

Chelsea have scored the first goal of the game on more occasions than any other Premier League side this season (15). They can be backed at 1.44 to score the first of the game against Reading.

Reading have won only one of their eight Premier League games (13%) that they have scored the first goal of the game in this season. Reading half-time/the draw full-time is available at 21.0.

Despite refereeing only 11 matches in the Premier League this season, Mark Halsey has awarded six penalties. Only Phil Dowd (8) has given more. You can get odds of 3.25 that a penalty will be taken.

Chelsea have won a league-high eight penalty kicks this season in the Premier League. Five different players have taken these eight penalties for Chelsea, Frank Lampard (4), Eden Hazard, Oscar and Fernando Torres score theirs, while Lucas Piazon was the only one to miss. Lampard is 7.4 to be the first goalscorer.

Adam Le Fondre has scored with four of his last five shots (excl. blocked) in the Premier League. Le Fondre is 11.0 to open the scoring.

This will be Rafael Benitez's 12th Premier League game in charge of Chelsea and he's won 21 points so far. Roberto Di Matteo won 24 points in his 12 PL games in charge of the Blues this term. You can lay Chelsea at 1.54 to finish in the top three.

Reading have won nine points from their last four Premier League games (W3 L1). They had collected just 10 in their previous 19 PL matches this term. They remain the joint favourites to be relegated at 1.47.