Huddersfield and Derby clash in their first 2029/2020 Championship match at the John Smith’s Stadium. This is the Terriers first match following their relegation to the second tier. This will be the Rams first match in this competition after the heartbreak they suffered in the final of the play-offs in May. Who will register their first points of the season tonight? Here’s the Big Game Focus. Bet on the Championship here.
After two season s in the Premier League, Huddersfield Town are set to play their first match in the Championship following relegation from the top flight. They upset the odds to win promotion two years ago and defied the odds to stay in the Premier League. A new journey starts now under the leadership of Jan Siewert. Can he inspire another historic season?
Derby were defeated in the Championship play-off final in May and then lost manager Frank Lampard to Chelsea in July. Phillip Cocu, three-time Eredivisie winner was the surprise replacement and the former Dutch ace faces a tough task in matching the Rams’ 2018/2019 achievements with key players departing. The likes of Mason Mount and Harry Wilson, who were on loan, returned to their parent clubs, leaving them short in important areas. Moreover, key players will be missing tonight’s encounter through injury. Can Cocu cope?
Betting preview
Huddersfield and Derby meet at the John Smith’s Stadium for the first time since October 2016, when Elias Kachunga scored a 90th minute winner for the Terriers in a 1-0 victory. Derby have won just twice away from home in their last ten matches in the Championship. Huddersfield have had a long time to prepare for this campaign because their fate was sealed a long time ago. They have since kept together a lot of their squad. Therefore, you can back a Home Double Chance at odds of 1.30.
In the last six meetings between these two teams, both teams have found the back of the net in four. For that reason, you can back Both Teams to Score at odds of 1.80.
Derby’s last five matches in the Championship have seen three or more goals. In Huddersfield’s last five competitive matches, three have seen Over 2.5 Goals. Furthermore, three of the last six matches between these teams have seen three or more goals. You can back Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 2.10.
Team news
Huddersfield boss Jan Siewert should hand a debut to Liverpool loanee Kamil Grabara in between the sticks, while young German defender Herbert Bockhorn also looks set to start. Exciting young wingers Adama Diakhaby and Isaac Mbenza should both start for the Terriers either side of the highly-rated Karlan Grant.
For Derby, striker Jack Marriott and attacking midfielder Duane Holmes both have thigh problems and won’t be fit in time to face the Terriers. With fellow midfielder George Thorne also injured, summer signing Graeme Shinnie could well be handed a debut.
Possible line-ups
Huddersfield: Grabara, Hadergjonaj, Schindler, Kongolo, Bockhorn, Mooy, Hogg, Bacuna, Diakhaby, Grant, Mbenza
Derby County: Roos, Bogle, Keogh, Evans, Malone, Huddlestone, Shinnie, Dowell, Lawrence, Waghorn, Jozefzoon