Score predictions - Huddersfield away

A first Yorkshire derby of the season for the Reds, and a first of two visits to the John Smith's Stadium in a matter of days. It's the Terriers second Yorkshire derby of the season after losing to Rotherham back in August, albeit after being reduced to 10 men. Despite the respective form and league position of the 2 sides, it's the hosts who are 10/11 favourites to take all 3 points at present, with the Reds currently trading at 13/5 outsiders to win a 4th away game of the season.


Huddersfield have experienced a mixed start to life in League 1. After winning 3 of their first 4, including a heavy away win at Bolton, the Terriers have since lost 4 in a row, scoring just twice in the process. They ended last season with just 1 win in 7 at the John Smiths Stadium, and had the 3rd worst home record in the Championship (ahead of Rotherham and Blackburn). Their 2 home wins to Shrewsbury and Stevenage were relatively comfortable even though they only won by 1 goal. Their home defeats to Northampton and Blackpool appear to be more convincing.


Our record this century at Huddersfield isn't the best; from 12 visits, we've won 3, drawn 2 and lost 7, including 5 defeats in our last 6 visits. Our last victory at the Smiths Smooth Stadium came late in the 20/21 season, when Daryl Dike scored with an overhead kick deep into the second half to confirm the Reds a Championship play-off place. Our most recent victory prior to that was the Play-Off Semi-Final in 2006 where the Reds overturned a first leg deficit to win 3-2 on aggregate. Our only other league victory over the Terriers away from home this century came in 2004, courtesy of a couple of early goals from Barry Conlon, and a David Mirfin own goal. Our last visit to Huddersfield confirmed our relegation from the Championship with 2 games still left to play; a late Callum Styles strike was a consolation in an otherwise toothless Barnsley display.


As well as head coach Michael Duff, there are 3 ex Reds players in the Terriers ranks. Defender Matty Pearson made 17 league appearances in red during his single season at Oakwell. He was part of the 17/18 side who were relegated under Jose Morais, and became a stalwart at Luton following his departure from Oakwell. Michal Helik will be much more fondly remembered by the Reds faithful having won the 20/21 player of the season. The Pole made 89 appearances for the Reds over 2 seasons, scoring 7 goals and featuring 7 times for his country whilst on the books at Oakwell. Coincidentally, he scored both goals as the Reds defeated the Terriers at Oakwell on boxing day 2020, with his second being in the last minute. It was a Herbie Kane long throw which eventually resulted in Helik scoring the winner in the aforementioned Boxing Day clash; Kane featured 123 times across 4 seasons for the Reds, netting on 14 occasions. He transitioned over to West Yorkshire this summer, having never quite lived up to the price tag he reportedly came with. On the other side, Jon Russell featured 32 times for the Terriers between 2021 and 2023, scoring 2 goals, before making the switch to Oakwell in the January window before last. Reds assistant coach Jon Stead was born in Huddersfield, and made 100 appearances for his home town club across 2 spells, scoring 27 goals. He was heavily instrumental in helping the Terriers win promotion from League 2 in 2004, though left for a million pound move to Blackburn before the season finished.


The subs on Tuesday night seemed to improve us, though I don't know whether that was just because we were chasing the game. Jalo, Humphrys and Benson all had a hand in the 2 goals. I felt Lofthouse didn't take his chance despite being patient waiting for it. Whilst Slonina has taken some flack regarding the goals, it was Earl who didn't cover himself in glory for either goal in my opinion. I'd like to see us go to more of a 343 which I reckon saves Earl's place in the team being a left footer.



Veteran midfielder, Jonathan Hogg, is expected to return from injury in the middle of the park for the Terriers. He's in his 11th year as a Huddersfield player. Former Red, Michal Helik, is likely to miss out through injury, though Matty Pearson has stepped in since, and scored in the defeat to Blackpool a couple of weeks ago. Former Rotherham Utd man, Mikel Miller, is the highest rated player for the Terriers on FotMob so far this season. The stats suggest that he's tireless on the left wing, rating high in both chances created and defensive actions. Josh Koroma is the Terriers top scorer with 4 goals, though he hasn't netted in his last 3; his most prolific season for Huddersfield was in 20/21 when he netted 8 league goals in 20 games in the Championship, so he's well on track to have his best season in the blue and white. 4 Huddersfield games so far this season have contained a red card. Sports Mole predicts the following lineup:



Referee David Rock was an early front runner in last seasons golden Kettle award. He was eventually judged the 5th worst referee by the BBS followimg his performance in our 7-0 opening day win over Port Vale. He was seen as quite whistle happy, and bizarrely booked Liam Roberts for time wasting whilst 6-0 up. Primarily a lower league referee, he has never taken charge of a Huddersfield fixture. In his 7 games so far this season, he's issued 34 yellow cards and 2 reds already. He's also awarded 1 penalty.


Oddly, I'm more optimistic for this one. We are better away from home, and raise our game when backed by a boisterous away following. Huddersfield are definitely in a rut, and their team on paper doesn't look as strong as it first did in pre-season. I'm going for a bit of a wildcard in Fabio Jalo to score anytime and Barnsley to win at 39/5 (P/L for the season = £52.43). I can see the crowd turning on Michael Duff if they don't come out of the traps flying, which might play into our hands. I'm predicting a 2-1 Reds win, with Jalo and Humphrys with the goals.

 

Huddersfield 3-0 Barnsley.

 

You mentioned Lofthouse mate, I think on his debut he deserves to played in his natural position of right wingback not pushed further forward. Surely you give him a chance to play in his natural position. Manager messed about too much with his starting line up and has been already said on other posts, he his putting too many square pegs into round holes at the moment. Hope he sorts it soon.

 

2-0 to dogs

 

I don't see how you can drop Cotter though at the minute. I think Lofthouse is a better option than O'Keeffe though. I think until Gent is deemed 'ready', that particular hole will have a square peg.

 

1-1 draw. Can’t remember how many times I’ve been to T’Udders at both their grounds but we haven’t won that many.

 

3-1 Huddersfield. We score early during our "at it" first 5 minutes, then never string another set of passes together until the 87th minute, just after Huddersfield get their third.

 

I genuinely have a Stihlsaw riding on this game. A Huddersfield fan, I know, has bet me a brand new Stihlsaw that Barnsley will win, such is his lack of confidence for a home win. Problem is, if we lose, I am best part of 500quid up!!!
This is the oddest bet I have ever been involved in. I need a draw, here, just to neutralise this manly bravado.

 

2-0 Hudds

 

Sounds worryingly accurate!

 

2-2

 

3-1 to Hudds. Any team on a ‘run of defeats’ can be sure that we’ll snap them out of it.

 

Town 2 - 0 Tarn

We finish with 9 men.

Meltdown ensues.

Am going to the game but feel so 'meh' that I can't even muster a lotto prediction.

 

Barnsley to win, 13/5
Barnsley to win, Humphreys to score anytime, 6/1
Barnsley to win 2-1, 11/1

Reds.

 

Benson simply has to start now.

If we score first, we’ll win. According to people I know who follow the Terriers, they collapse under pressure. So start bright, make it ugly if needed. Let’s not sit in again please.

I’ll go 3-1 Reds.

 

Benson has looked good I agree and is playing like he really wants it.

 

Current home table

https://footystats.org/england/efl-league-one/home-away-league-table

 

Slonina

Cotter MDG Roberts Earl Gent

Benson Russell Connell

DKD
Humphrys

 

Not normally a pessimistic person but I've got a bad feeling their season starts tomorrow after trouncing us.

Doesn't help that whenever me and my dad go to an away match we get beat soundly, so if it happens you know who to blame.

Last away match we went together to was the 3-0 defeat to Derby last season. We are cursed as a pair.

3-1 to Huddersfield.

 

3-0 to dog botherers