Beat The Bookie - Reading

Happy New Year to you all and let's get underway with the Swans first match of 2019 and our usual pick of the best odds offered by the Swans official sponsors Bet UK.

We did get some luck with the weekend visit of Wigan despite the very odd team selection and a goal from Mike Van Der Hoorn and (almost) calling our first draw for 13 games gave some good returns if you were brave enough to back them. Although the pessimists amongst us will tell us that the wins were just to offset the endless losses of the previous weeks.

The Swans travel to Reading to start 2019 and will be looking to repeat the win over the Royals experienced at the Liberty at the end of October. There has been just one home win since that point (five games) and only 10 points from the 10 games since - a run of results that has seen us slowly slip down the table to the bottom half position that we now occupy.

That will be something that Graham Potter will be looking to reverse today and start his New Year as he intends to go on and if you fancy the Swans to record a victory on the road then we are favourites for the game at 5/4 with Reading 11/5 and the draw available at 23/10.

The news (rumour) that surfaced last night that we were interested in bringing Nelson Oliviera back to the Liberty Stadium probably won't have excited the fans but it may (I said may) spur Ollie McBurnie into goalscoring form and he is 9/2 favourite to score the first goal in the game or 27/20 if you just fancy him to find the back of the net at some stage during the match.

We surely as well have to be due a clean sheet (it is 8 games since we kept one in the 1-0 win at Bolton) and to win the game to nil today then we can be backed at 9/4 which seems generous odds (especially when you think Reading have scored just 27 in 25 this season)

Interestingly Mike Van Der Hoorn's goal on Saturday has seen his odds cut heavily in the goalscoring stakes (now just 17/2 to score at any time) but Carter-Vickers and Rodon can both be backed at 12/1 to score at any time)

And our final pick of the bets for this first game of 2019 is on there being no goals in the first half which is available at 37/20 and worth a couple of £ of anyone's money I think.

You can of course visit the full odds available from BetUK by clicking this link

http://bit.ly/2z4xHJa

What to read next:

Jamal Lowe : Still to be contacted regards his future at Swansea, Langstaff update
We have been told by numerous Swansea fans of a chance meeting in a service station between Jamal Lowe and those returning from Norwich yesterday. Nothing in that or indeed the conversation they had yesterday. Indeed there has to be some interpretation from what we know already on Jamal Lowe.

Brave Swans in memorable game at Carrow Road
It was a pulsating game to watch and very much one of my favourite away games of the season. The Swans looked an entirely different side to that we saw at Middlesbrough when it is clear a catalyst for commitment was agreed behind the scenes at Swansea City. To a man every player grafted and wore the shirt with pride. To see the players really acknowledge the Swans support at Carrow Road this afternoon was emotional.

Norwich City 2 - 2 Swansea City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.

TEAM NEWS : Norwich City v Swansea City
The Swans are on the Norfolk Broads, punting and boating their way to the end of the season. Hopefully the city of Norwich is obliging.

Swansea City : Jack Army travel over 1,000 miles for two games in succession
Swansea City have set out on their second long distance away trip in two weekends, this time to Norwich for todays clash between the Swans and Canaries (3pm) Over the last ten meetings between the clubs Swansea City have won five times, Norwich the same.

Cardiff City fan sends tragedy tweet directed at dead Swansea City fan Terry Coles
As a result of the news reported by Sky on Wednesday that five military horses had escaped and ran through central London, a Cardiff City follower thought it wise to relate the incident to the death of Swansea fan Terry Coles, 42.

Swansea reject Cullen contract and trigger one year option
Liam Cullen has had his request for a new contract dismissed by Swansea City after discussions broke down last week. The lowest paid ‘senior’ player at the club ( he is twenty five) asked for a better contract increasing his £3,500 a week to around £7,000 a week over three years.

Gwyn’s Eye View : Norwich City v Swansea City ‘The officials’
Thanks to Gwyn we have a thorough assessment of this weeks officials who will take charge at Carrow Road this Saturday at 3pm. Norwich City will be keen to get the points to guarantee their play off slot, and Saturday is their first go.

Sam Parker hasn’t turned down a new deal, he is willing to negotiate
He was a revelation for the Swans for the few games he played this season, and now it emerges Sam Parker has ‘turned down’ a new Swansea City contract. News is thin on the ground, and some of it just incorrect as he looks to involve his representatives in some further negotiations. Plus his current contract runs for two more years.

Swansea City : The vision is clearer, so Jamal Lowe ?
There were some worrying moments for the Swans yesterday, on three occasions mistakes from playing out from the back nearly saw the home side score. And is there now a case for Jamal Lowe to be offered a contract at Swansea ?