Will Huddersfield win Monday’s clash against Luton?
Huddersfield Town have ended their mini crisis in the Championship for now. The Terriers scored three in a row against Hull City after three matchdays without a win to underpin their starting place for the promotion play-offs. Nonetheless, the chasing pack remains close on the heels of the traditional West Yorkshire club.
Six matchdays before the end of the regular season, Huddersfield Town have no room to lose points. On Monday night, Huddersfield Town face a crucial match against league rivals Luton in the battle for the promotion play-offs. After all, numerous chasers have dropped important points on this matchday.
Despite home advantage, Huddersfield Town are only minimally favoured at the John Smith’s Stadium. Given Luton Town’s recent run of form, the bookies’ assessment is not at all surprising. After all, the visitors have not lost any of their last four matches in the Championship.
In addition, Luton Town have not lost a competitive match against the Terriers since May 2008. Meanwhile, the Hatters are unbeaten in five matches in a row against Huddersfield Town – a good omen ahead of Monday’s Championship game?
Huddersfield – Statistics & current form
Huddersfield Town are still fighting for promotion to the English top flight. A few weeks ago, the fourth-placed side still had a realistic chance of direct promotion, but the tide has since turned for the Terriers. The team of head coach Carlos Corberán even has to fear for the participation in the promotion play-offs.
Many of their rivals have closed the gap on the Terriers. However, Huddersfield Town have recently benefited from the loss of points by their rivals. Last week’s results in particular suited the traditional West Yorkshire club. While Huddersfield Town did their own homework against Hull, their rivals Boro and Blackburn lost points.
On Monday, Huddersfield, fourth in the table, will be aiming for another win to extend their lead over their promotion rivals. It will be the 20th home game of the season for the Terriers. In their 19 home games in the 2021/22 Championship, Huddersfield currently stand at a record of 10-5-4.
Will Huddersfield win against Luton for the first time since May 2008?
One of Huddersfield Town’s four home defeats this season came in their last home game against Bournemouth AFC. Prior to the defeat to the Cherries, Corberán’s side had gone nine consecutive home games unbeaten across the competition. Huddersfield even won five of the nine home games.
If Huddersfield vs Luton get another win at the John Smith’s Stadium, odds of 2.35 on Tip 1 will be paid out. For that to happen, however, the Terriers will have to tweak their recent record against Monday’s opponents. Huddersfield have gone winless in their last five matches with Luton Town.
The return of Danny Ward is particularly pleasing on this matchday. The Terriers’ goalscorer was unavailable last week and Jordan Rhodes started up top in his place. On Monday night, Ward returns to the starting eleven. In any case, Corberán has no serious absentees against Luton Town.
Predicted Huddersfield line-up:
Nicholls – Turton, Lees, Colwill, Toffolo – Russell, Hogg, O’Brien – Thomas, Ward, Koroma
Last matches played by Huddersfield:
Championship
04/01 2022 – Hull 0 – 1 Huddersfield
03/19 2022 – Huddersfield 0 – 3 Bournemouth
03/16 2022 – Millwall 2 – 0 Huddersfield
03/11 2022 – West Bromwich Albion 2 – 2 Huddersfield
FA Cup
03/07 2022 – Nottingham Forest 2 – 1 Huddersfield
Luton – Statistics & current form
Luton Town have not lost any of their last four matches in League Two since the defeat to QPR. Nevertheless, recent results have not been satisfactory for the Hatters, especially as Luton went winless against Peterborough United, among others, recently. Against the last team in the Championship, Luton only managed a meagre draw (1-1).
In the current state of the Hatters, it is therefore more than risky to bet on the visitors in Huddersfield vs Luton. At the same time, the record of 8-5-7 in the 20 away games this season should not be overrated. Against their opponents, Luton have only won once in their last four away games at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Last season they drew level on points at Huddersfield’s stadium. Head coach Nathan Jones’ side could not complain about a point this time either. Especially as it underpins their starting place for the promotion play-offs.
Luton at their best in Monday’s clash
Just like Monday’s opponents from Huddersfield, head coach Nathan Jones’ side go into Matchday 41 in top form. Against the defensive bulwark of the Terriers, especially the offensive of the fifth in the table will be challenged. So far, Luton have scored 59 goals in 40 matchdays, making them the fourth most powerful attack in the Championship.
Striker Elijah Adebayo has played a big part in this, topping the internal goalscoring charts with 15 goals so far. Adebayo did not score against Peterborough on the last matchday, but the 24-year-old attacking star of the Hatters scored three times (2 goals, 1 assist) on the two matchdays before.
Although Luton did not put in a weak performance last matchday, it is obvious that Nathan Jones will rely on the same starting eleven against Huddersfield Town. If the Hatters can show some defiance this time around and win, Huddersfield vs Luton odds of 3.30 for tip 2.
Predicted Luton line-up:
Shea – Bradley, Naismith, Kioso – Bree, Lansbury, Mpanzu, Campbell, Bell – Cornick, Adebayo
Last matches played by Luton:
Championship
04/05 2022 – Peterboro 1 – 1 Luton
04/02 2022 – Luton 2 – 2 Millwall
03/19 2022 – Hull 1 – 3 Luton
03/16 2022 – Luton 4 – 0 Preston
03/13 2022 – Luton 1 – 2 Queens Park Rangers
Huddersfield – Luton Direct Comparison / H2H Record
This is the 28th time the two clubs have met. Luton Town currently lead the head-to-head comparison against Huddersfield with a record of 12-6-9. On average, less than three goals have been scored per game in the 27 meetings between the two clubs. It is quite possible that a prediction of under 2.5 goals will also come true on Monday night for Huddersfield vs Luton.
Bets on that already paid off in the first leg. Luton and Huddersfield parted with a goalless draw. This was the third time in a row that a match between the two clubs ended in a draw. The last time there was a winner between Luton and Huddersfield was in July 2020. On that occasion, the Hatters prevailed 2-0 over Huddersfield Town.
Huddersfield – Luton Tip
Both teams are currently fighting for a place in the promotion play-offs. Because the chasers fluffed on this matchday, the winner of Huddersfield vs Luton can extend their lead over the Championship’s seventh-placed team in the table. The Terriers benefit from home advantage in Monday’s clash and are slight favourites despite their recent run of form.
After three winless matchdays in a row, Huddersfield had mastered the match against Hull City with 1-0 on the last matchday and thus also passed their upcoming opponents. In contrast to the Terriers, Luton Town dropped important points in the promotion race. The Hatters only picked up a point against Peterborough in what was supposed to be a must-win match.
Luton Town’s usually strong attack left a weak impression. To master the match against Huddersfield, the Hatters will have to improve significantly. We see the hosts from Huddersfield as favourites, as do the bookmakers.