Blackpool vs Huddersfield prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-01-20 15:00.
After the high of their 4-1 FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest, Blackpool were brought back down to earth with a bump as they lost 2-0 in the Championship to Watford to remain in the bottom three. That was one defeat too many for the board, who ended manager Michael Appleton’s seven-month tenure and then hired Mick McCarthy, after their side conceded first for the 16th time in the league this season (W1, D3, L12).
Doing so in this clash between two sides battling for survival could spell danger as the Tangerines have lost all seven home league games after conceding the opener this term. Ominously, they’ve only beaten Huddersfield Town here once in four attempts (D1, L2), scoring just twice during those fixtures, and considering Blackpool are without a home Championship win since October (D2, L3) it might take some effort to tip the scales here.
As Blackpool search for form, they could even look at Huddersfield for inspiration as the visitors have put together a good league run since Christmas Day (W2, D1, L1). If other results go their way, a win here would lift the Terriers out of the bottom three for the first time since mid-August and if it wasn’t for a 98th-minute equaliser conceded at Hull (D 1-1) last time out, they’d be in an even better position.
That performance continued Huddersfield’s improved form on the road (W2, D1, L1) with both of their wins in that run – against QPR and Preston North End – coming after conceding first, and testament to the hard work which manager Mark Fotheringham praised following the Hull game. More is required though, especially as they haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last five league away games.
Players to watch: Captain Marvin Ekpiteta has been leading by example, scoring Blackpool’s opener in two of their last four games. Huddersfield will hope Duane Holmes can take the initiative here however, as he’s netted the opener in two of Huddersfield’s last three league games, also having scored against Blackpool while playing for Scunthorpe in December 2017.
Hot stat: Huddersfield have conceded ten Championship goals between the 31st minute and half-time this season.