Reading v Cardiff too close to call, says Adie Williams
Last updated on .From the section Football
Former Reading captain Adie Williams admits Cardiff will start as favourites when the sides meet in the Championship play-off semi-final second leg on Tuesday.
The first leg at the Madejski Stadium ended in a goalless draw.
And former Wales player Williams believes the second leg at the Cardiff City Stadium is too close to call.
"The favourites now will probably be Cardiff because they're obviously on their home patch," said Williams.
"That's the third time this season they've met and they've all ended in draws. [It's] all to play for.
"It just shows there's nothing between the sides. It's so tight to call. Three games, three draws. Something's got to give."
Although admitting Cardiff will start as favourites on Tuesday, Williams says Brian McDermott's Royals have what it takes to secure their place at Wembley.
"Reading have proven this season they can go anywhere on the road and get results," added Williams, a presenter and pundit with BBC Radio Berkshire.
"Even in the FA Cup in the last few seasons they've gone to Liverpool, West Brom and Everton [and won]. Of course it can be done.
"There's so much up for grabs - [the] Premier League and the wealth and the fame and everything that goes with it."
The winners of the Cardiff-Reading game will face Nottingham Forest or Swansea City in the final at Wembley on 30 May.
And Williams says Swansea will begin as favourites when the sides meet in the second leg at the Liberty Stadium on Monday night.
The Swans, managed by former Reading boss Brendan Rodgers, secured a goalless draw at the City Ground in the first leg despite the dismissal of defender Neil Taylor after just two minutes.
"They played ever so well," said Williams. "They hit Forest on the counter-attack and at times you wondered who was playing with 10 men.
"I went to Swansea for the last game of the season and they beat Sheffield United 4-0 and were mighty impressive.
"They play a certain system [and] they play a certain style of football and when they get it right I think they are a dangerous side.
"I'm thankful we [Reading] missed Swansea in the semis and I'm sure Cardiff are as well. Forest have got it all to do."
