Will Huddersfield advance to the play-off final?
In the promotion play-offs of the Championship it remains exciting. Especially in the match between Huddersfield vs Luton no decision has been made yet, after all the semi-final first leg ended in a draw last Friday. The second leg is scheduled for Monday evening, with the bookmakers favouring the Terriers as expected.
It was just under a month ago that the two clubs met at Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium. On that occasion, the Terriers came out on top 2-0 to record their first home win over Luton since September 2007. If Huddersfield vs Luton win again, odds of 2.30 are paid out for tip 1.
The first leg was a match of equals, with Huddersfield even leading 1-0 at times. Both goals, which led to a 1-1 draw, were scored before the end of the second half. In the second half, however, neither team took much of a risk.
An offensive spectacle tends to be ruled out this time as well. Bets on more than 2.5 goals in a game between Huddersfield and Luton last paid off in August 2019, and since then there have been six consecutive must-win duels in which the three-goal mark has not been cracked.
Huddersfield – Statistics & current form
Huddersfield can have no complaints about the result at Luton. The Terriers delivered a commanding performance and picked up an important draw at their semi-final opponents. Now at home, if successful, there is a chance of reaching the final of this year’s promotion play-offs. Home advantage in the second leg comes in handy.
Huddersfield have won 13 of their 23 home Championship games at home this season. With a record of 13-6-4, the Terriers were one of the strongest teams at home in the second division during the regular season. Only teams like Fulham, Bournemouth and Millwall had better statistics.
Huddersfield also won three of their last four home games in the Championship, including the second leg against Luton Town. Against Monday’s opponents, Huddersfield even prevailed 2-0 at the John Smith’s Stadium to record their first home win over Luton in almost 15 years.
Do the Terriers continue their recent home streak?
In their current form – Huddersfield have lost only one of their last 14 home games at home – it is obvious that the Terriers will also win the semi-final second leg in the promotion play-offs. To do so, head coach Carlos Corberán’s charges only need to improve their chance-taking. After all, Huddersfield had dominated the first leg at Luton.
Head coach Corberán is therefore unlikely to make any changes to the starting eleven. As in the first leg last Friday, the Spaniard will have to do without a total of five players due to injury. In addition, there is still a big question mark over whether O’Brien will play.
Predicted Huddersfield line-up:
Nicholls; Lees, Hogg, Sarr; Pipa, Russell, O’Brien, Toffolo; Sinani, Ward, Holmes
Last matches played by Huddersfield:
Championship Play-off
14/05/2022 – Luton 1 – 1 Huddersfield
Championship
07/05/2022 – Huddersfield 2 – 0 Bristol City
30/04/2022 – Coventry 1 – 2 Huddersfield
23/04/2022 – Huddersfield 2 – 1 Barnsley
18/04/2022 – Middlesboro 0 – 2 Huddersfield
Luton – Statistics & current form
Luton squandered home advantage against Huddersfield and now have to fear for a place in the final. As in the first and second legs of the regular season, Luton missed out on a win against the Terriers. However, Luton will not complain about the draw, as their opponents had a realistic chance of winning.
To reach the final at Wembley Stadium, Luton will need at least a draw on Monday night to at least fight their way into extra time. In the regular season, on the other hand, a place in the final will only be possible if they are successful. It therefore remains to be seen how much risk head coach Nathan Jones’ team will take in the second leg.
In the first leg, Luton’s attack was particularly disappointing. In the absence of goal-scorer Elijah Adebayo, who missed the first leg through injury, Luton’s attacking efforts were manageable. In the second half in particular, the attacking department fell short of expectations.
Adebayo’s return a motivational boost?
In the entire second half against Huddersfield, Luton did not fire a single shot at the Terriers’ goal. Out of four shot attempts, not a single shot found the target. So the news of a potential comeback for Adebayo is all the more welcome. The Hatters’ goal-scorer had missed the last few competitive games through injury.
Adebayo is expected to be back in the squad for the semi-final second leg. The 24-year-old is still statistically the top scorer in the Hatters’ ranks with 16 goals and four assists despite a recent injury lay-off. Adebayo is expected to replace Jerome up top and play as a one-two with Cornick.
No other changes are expected in the starting eleven. With Osho, Ruddock, Shea and Steer, Luton still have four players on the casualty list.
Predicted Luton line-up:
Ingram; Burke, Bradley, Naismith; Bree, Campbell, Lansbury, Clark, Bell; Adebayo, Cornick
Last matches played by Luton:
Championship Play-off
14/05/2022 – Luton 1 – 1 Huddersfield
Championship
07/05/2022 – Luton 1 – 0 Reading
02/05/2022 – Fulham 7 – 0 Luton
23/04/2022 – Luton 1 – 1 Blackpool
18/04/2022 – Cardiff 0 – 1 Luton
Huddersfield – Luton Direct comparison / H2H record
This is the seventh time Huddersfield and Luton have met in the English second division. The Hatters lead the head-to-head comparison in the Championship with a record of 2-3-1. This season, Luton have not won any of their last three matches against Huddersfield. In the regular season, there was a draw in the first leg.
Huddersfield, on the other hand, won the second-round match 2-0 at their own stadium. In the play-offs there was again only a draw for Luton last Friday. It is quite possible that the Hatters will remain winless against Huddersfield Town this time as well. After all, Luton haven’t won a match at Huddersfield’s John Smith’s Stadium since July 2020.
Huddersfield – Luton Tip
Huddersfield go into the semi-final second leg with a broad chest. At home, the Terriers have won three of their last four home games at the John Smith’s Stadium. Statistically Huddersfield were one of the strongest teams at home in the Championship anyway. That home strength was felt by Luton less than a month ago.
At the Terriers’ stadium, Luton suffered a 2-0 away defeat, losing an away game at Huddersfield Town for the first time since September 2007. In the two away games before that, Luton remained unbeaten against Huddersfield. Nevertheless, the next defeat at the Terriers cannot be ruled out.
In the semi-final first leg, Luton did not leave a good impression and could not set the desired accents especially in the offensive play. Huddersfield, on the other hand, were in control and dominated the game, especially in the second half. With the draw in the first leg, the Terriers set the course for the final.
As was the case less than a month ago in the second leg of the 2021/22 Championship, we expect a home win in favour of the Terriers this time around. With a stake of five units, we place our bet on Huddersfield vs Luton at odds of 2.30 on the home side
