Huddersfield vs Reading prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-05-07 14:00.
A 1-0 win over promoted Sheffield United on Thursday secured Huddersfield Town’s Championship status for another season and ultimately consigned Reading to League One in the process, making this match a dead rubber rather than a potential relegation shootout! Huddersfield’s miraculous escape is largely down to manager Neil Warnock, who came out of retirement to lead them to safety having been seven points adrift when he took over, and he was rewarded with a guard of honour on Thursday, with the 74-year-old boss admitting he’ll “never forget it for the rest of his life.”
The Terriers could make a fitting tribute to Warnock in his last game in temporary charge by extending their impressive nine-game league form (W5, D3, L1) with another win. The John Smith’s Stadium could see a party-like atmosphere now safety is assured, and the fans would love to see Warnock give them one last hoorah by avenging their 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture.
With relegation confirmed, thoughts instantly swirl back to the six-point deduction for violating budget restrictions, but aside from that Reading did themselves no favours on the pitch, stringing together a 12-match winless run since the start of March (D6, L6). The Royals thought they had set up a date with destiny here, after their 93rd-minute equaliser secured a 1-1 draw against Wigan last Saturday, though Huddersfield since ensured that Reading will be playing third-tier football for the first time in over two decades.
It’s perhaps no surprise that’s the case given Reading’s recent ten-game competitive away record (D1, L9), raising doubts over whether they can even salvage some pride by ending a league campaign with three points for the first time since 2016/17. They can start their preparations for League One by winning here, and post a first H2H league double over Huddersfield in a single season since 2001/02 in the process.
Players to watch: After being hailed by Warnock as “one of the best players I’ve had in my career,” Danny Ward’s last four goal contributions (G2, A2) have all come in Huddersfield wins. Looking to sign off on a high, Yakou Méïté scored Reading’s late equaliser against Wigan and also scored Reading’s third in the reverse fixture.
Hot stat: Eight of the last nine goals in Huddersfield’s Championship matches have come during the second-half.