Nigel Adkins is still searching for his first win since taking over at Madejski Stadium and Willie Duncan is backing the Reds to enjoy a comfortable win over the Royals here

Reading’s slim hopes of Premier League survival were dealt a hammer blow last weekend when they slumped to a 2-0 home loss at the hands of Southampton.

European qualification hopefuls Liverpool will aim to pile on the agony for Nigel Adkins’ men when the two sides clash at Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

The home side, who have lost their last eight matches in all competitions and now stand on the precipice of relegation to the Championship, are rated as an 11/2 (6.50) chance to end that dreadful sequence of results with a vital victory over Brendan Rodgers’ side this weekend.

Liverpool were frustrated last weekend as they were held by West Ham United at Anfield but the Reds should travel to Madejski Stadium in good spirits, having lost just one of their last seven matches in all competitions.

They can be backed at just 1/2 (1.50) to pick up all three points here while the same firm go 3/1 (4.0) that the match ends all square.

Liverpool have scored an impressive 18 goals in their last seven matches. The Reds will feel confident about their chances of adding to that tally against a Reading side that has yet to keep a Premier League clean sheet in 2013 while it should be also noted that the Royals have scored just three goals in their last six matches.

With that in mind, Bet365’s generous 5/4 (2.25) quote for Liverpool (-1) in the handicap market looks to represent outstanding value this weekend while the same firm offer a juicy 13/8 (2.63) that the Reds keep a clean sheet against the Royals.

Liverpool can be backed at 11/10 (2.10) to lead at both half-time and full-time this weekend while those seeking to squeeze extra value from this contest should snap up the generous 9/4 (3.25) quote from the same firm for Brendan Rodgers’ in-form side to with both halves on Saturday.

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Willie Duncan is a freelance sports journalist. Willie, from Edinburgh, has covered Scottish football for over 10 years and he specialises in football betting markets from across Europe. You can also follow Willie on Twitter