Huddersfield are doing absolutely spectacularly this season and managed to take Premier League title hopefuls Manchester City to a replay by drawing 0-0 at the John Smith’s Stadium. The Championship top two of Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United look set to stay there but if any team are likely to threaten that, it is the Terriers.
Saturday was an odd one for Huddersfield, not just because of the result, but because of the lack of goals. Both teams have scored in Huddersfield’s four games prior to that and there had been at least three match goals in each of their last five before that draw against City.
The draw of course extended David Wagner’s side unbeaten run at home to eight in all competitions. The Terriers have the fourth-best home record in the division and that only looks like improving at the moment.
Reading looked like they were stuttering a bit prior to last Tuesday following draws against Ipswich Town and Barnsley, however, they managed to beat Brentford 3-2 in order to put themselves back on the right track. The Royals recently lost their long-held third spot to Tuesday’s opponents Huddersfield Town but, with nine points separating them and seventh, they will feel confident they can keep their place in the play-offs come the end of the season.
Manager Jaap Stam has brought an attacking flair to his side and it is no surprise that they have scored 47 goals – the best of the play-off teams – yet conceded 41 – the worst of the play-off teams.
The Royals have been a bit inconsistent on their travels recently with just one win in their last four matches in all competitions. Having said that, this is not much of a surprise considering that they have only the eighth-best away record in the Championship mainly thanks to six losses in their 15 games away from the Madejski Stadium.
Huddersfield are the favourites here but, with this being the Championship, it’s hard to hang your hat on them given how quickly things can turn around.
Regardless of result, there should be goals here given the playing styles of both and it is certainly worth noting that Huddersfield have scored in 93% of league matches at home. However, Reading have scored in their last five away league matches whilst Huddersfield have conceded in 80% of their Championship matches at the John Smith’s. ‘Over 2.5 Goals & Both Teams to Score’ at a eye-catching 7/5, is the bet to go for here.
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