Portsmouth and Reading to secure vital wins on the South Coast

Reading could extend the gap between themselves and West Ham to four points with a win at play-off chasing Brighton, and Brian McDermott’s men look good value at 13/10, as they look for their fourth consecutive win.

The Seagulls haven’t lost at home this calendar year, making the AMEX something of a fortress. Any punters expecting Gus Poyet’s men to continue to flourish in their new surroundings can get an inviting price of 21/10 for a home victory.

The draw can be backed here at 23/10, and with a tight game expected and both sides needing the points, this contest may suit the cautious punter.

Adam Le Fondre bagged a late brace against Leeds on Good Friday and the diminutive striker is 7/1 to break the deadlock on this occasion.

Another player, like Le Fondre, who has worked his way up the Football League is Craig Mackail-Smith and he is 11/2 favourite to score first here.

Portsmouth recovered from the potentially fatal 5-1 home defeat to Burnley with a well-earned draw against local rivals Southampton at the weekend and go into this crucial clash with Milwall with every chance of keeping their survival hopes alive. A Pompey victory is priced at 5/4.

Kenny Jackett’s Lions have taken seven points from their last four games, a run that has seen them pull away from the relegation zone, a win here at 21/10 should see them all but secure Championship football next season.

Meetings between these two teams are historically tight affairs with the draw being the most regular outcome; a stalemate can be backed at 23/10 this time round.

1-0 has been the scoreline in five of the last nine contests between these two, as was the case earlier in the season, and both the home and away win by that margin can be backed at 7/1.