Points and bragging rights will be on the cards as Yorkshire duo of Huddersfield Town and Barnsley face off at the John Smith’s Stadium on Tuesday night.
The third tier promotion race is the main priority for both teams and Huddersfield were able to boost their hopes with their weekend victory which was achieved courtesy of second half strikes from Ben Wiles and David Kasumu.
Huddersfield’s success ended a run of four straight league defeats and lifted them to ninth place, above 11th-placed Barnsley on goal difference.
Barnsley’s loss on Saturday leaves them with just one victory from their last six fixtures.
Huddersfield -0.5 on Asian handicap - Evs
Huddersfield needed a couple of late goals to seal Saturday’s 2-0 success at home to Barnsley, but they were worthy winners and can quickly frank the form by defeating the Tykes in their EFL Trophy Northern Section clash.
A break from league action may be appreciated by both clubs, who have been performing below expectations in the League One promotion race.
Both are hopeful of challenging for a top two finish but they each have 15 points and are outside the playoff places.
In terms of EFL Trophy progression they have work to do with Huddersfield opening with a 2-1 loss at Doncaster and Barnsley beginning with a 3-2 defeat at home to Manchester United Under-21s.
Neither has a weekend fixture to worry about but multiple changes are expected and, if it boils down to a test of squad depth, Huddersfield should have the edge.
The Terriers have plenty of talented players waiting in the wings including forwards Danny Ward and Freddie Ladapo, who are proven at League One level.
Barnsley’s attacking options are reduced by the absence of Adam Phillips, who missed the weekend fixture with a toe injury.
Phillips has netted five times in his last eight appearances and his return from injury cannot come soon enough for Tykes’ manager Darrell Clarke, who has been struggling to find the right formula.
Clarke’s team have lost three of their last four away games, including a 7-0 hammering at the hands of Manchester United in the EFL Cup third round.
It might just take one result for Barnsley to turn the tide, but they will be up against a Huddersfield side who will be feeling much better about themselves.
The Terriers were pleased enough with their performance in last Tuesday’s 1-0 loss at Birmingham, and they produced a front foot display in the win over Barnsley, bossing the possession percentages 56.5 to 43.5 and the shot count 17 to 11.
Michael Duff’s side will be keen to maintain the winning feeling and they look solid favourites to post another home success.
Freddie Ladapo anytime goalscorer - 13/8
Changes to the Huddersfield starting XI should include a start for Freddie Ladapo, who has made just five appearances since his arrival in early September.
Ladapo racked up 17 League One goals for Ipswich during the 2022-23 campaign and he looks attractively priced at 13/8 to notch his first goal for his new club.
Under 2.5 goals - 6/5
Saturday’s clash between the teams was a tight, closely-fought affair and it seems unlikely that their EFL Trophy meeting will be greatly different.
Three of Huddersfield’s last four games have featured less than three goals, so under 2.5 goals looks a worthwhile wager at 6/5.
Read more football betting tips and predictions on site.
Huddersfield Town - 10/11
Draw - 27/10
Barnsley - 11/5
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.