Huddersfield v Nottingham Forest - Championship Playoff Final: Preview

bet365 News Team Published: Sep 05 2022 17:15

A place in the Premier League is up for grabs this weekend as Huddersfield Town and Nottingham Forest compete in the "richest game in football".

The two teams will head to Wembley for one final fixture, and the winner will join Fulham and Bournemouth in the top flight after they secured automatic promotion this month.

Huddersfield are 5/2 to win inside 90 minutes, the draw is 23/10, while those that fancy Forest to get the job done can do so at 23/20.

Expect nerves to play their part

Neither Huddersfield nor Nottingham Forest were convincing winners during their semi-final matches.

The Terriers beat Luton 2-1 on aggregate thanks to a late Jordan Rhodes goal, while Forest needed a penalty shootout to overcome a resilient Sheffield United side.

Both teams won one fixture each in the head-to-head battles, but under 2.5 goals is often a good selection for this fixture.

That bet would have landed in five of the previous six meetings between the pair, and punters can back under 2.5 goals currently at 8/13.

14 Championship playoff finals since the iconic 4-4 game between Sunderland and Charlton have contained under 2.5 goals, and with so much on the line, it would not be a surprise to see the game settled by a single goal.

Both teams not to score is also something to consider, with only five of the previous 21 finals seeing both sides find the back of the net.

Forest will need to bide their time

Steve Cooper has worked wonders at the City Ground since he took charge and his side are now 90 minutes away from ending their 23-year absence from the Premier League.

Forest head to Wembley for the first time in 30 years, and Cooper has turned the club from relegation candidates to Premier League hopefuls since September.

Huddersfield were never even expected to finish in the playoffs, never mind reach the final, but Cooper's team is more rounded than Carlos Corberan's.

A potential injury to Huddersfield striker Danny Ward means Corberan could be forced to use Rhodes from the start. While the fan favourite scored the goal to secure their spot at Wembley, it is Ward that has had the better campaign.

Forest proved against Sheffield United that they can hang in when the tide is against them, and it was the brilliance of goalkeeper Brice Samba that saved the day during the penalty shootout.

Even though that enthralling contest will have taken plenty out of the Forest players, they have had nearly two weeks rest ahead of Sunday's showpiece at Wembley.

With Huddersfield usually tough to break down at the best of times, Forest to win in extra-time looks the way to go at 10/1, while those that expect them to succeed on penalties can do so at 9/1.

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Cooper's side cannot overlook plucky Huddersfield

The Terriers might have shocked the majority of the division to reach Wembley, but now they are there, they cannot be underestimated.

Huddersfield have a superb record at the national stadium, winning promotion in four of their last five playoff campaigns.

Forest know they can get the upper hand, having won two of their three meetings against them this season.

Both teams will be desperate to get on the front foot as soon as possible, but Forest cannot allow Huddersfield to settle, and they will look to keep it tight until the closing stages.

A draw in the half-time result market appeals at 1/1, and the longer the game drags on, the more Forest will believe in themselves after recent results.