Huddersfield v Fulham
Friday August 16, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports
Huddersfield under pressure
Huddersfield’s winless start to the season continued as they were humbled by new boys Lincoln in the first round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday. Terriers boss Jan Siewert made 10 changes and fielded seven debutants, and it showed as Town produced a disjointed display that was indebted to keeper Ryan Schofield pulling a string of fine saves.
Huddersfield – without a win in all competitions since February – had two big penalty appeals turned down in the dying moments but were largely second-best as they slumped to a 1-0 home reverse. The result followed Saturday’s 1-1 draw at QPR where the Terriers offered little in the final-third, bar a second successive converted penalty by Karlan Grant.
The Yorkshire club return to the John Smith’s Stadium with many supporters now questioning Siewert’s future. The German did not attempt to defend Town’s dismal midweek showing, although patience is beginning to run thin amongst the Huddersfield faithful. New signing Frazier Campbell could feature after joining on Monday.
Fulham looking up
Fulham claimed their first win since being relegated from the Premier League despite the best efforts of Blackburn last weekend. Tom Cairney spectacularly opened the scoring against his former club from 25 yards before Aleksandar Mitrovic sealed the win when tapping home from close range late on in a 2-0 triumph at Craven Cottage.
Having brought in four players before the transfer deadline, Fulham boss Scott Parker opted to start just one in Harry Arter with the Irish international’s tenacity impressing early on. The central midfielder’s influence was required as the Cottagers appeared shaky in the early exchanges. Nevertheless, the capital club grew into the game and soon showed their class.
Parker was pleased to see his side bounce back from their defeat at Barnsley, saying the “result was key” as the Cottagers look to build an immediate case for automatic promotion. Bobby Reid, Josh Onomoah and Harrison Reed will all be hoping to feature in some form this Friday with Fulham not involved in the first round of EFL Cup action in midweek.
Last season the two teams exchanged 1-0 victories in their respective home contests. However, Huddersfield’s triumph here last November represented the Terriers’ only triumph in 13 fixtures against their guests since 1993 (W1-D4-L8).
Huddersfield [2.84] have been chalked up as outsiders here. Siewert’s side produced a determined effort in defeat to Derby in their 2019/20 curtain-raiser, although Town have lacked invention and threat in the final-third across their opening encounters, with the Terriers’ only goals arriving via the penalty spot and Karlan Grant.
Fulham [2.70] suffered a shock loss at Barnsley on their return to the Championship with the Cottagers criticised for their meek battling efforts. Nevertheless, Scott Parker’s charges will have been encouraged by their display in the final hour against Blackburn and certainly possess the required firepower to trouble any second-tier team this term.
The visitors struggled on their travels in the Premier League but there’s certainly appeal in keeping the Cottagers onside with a +0.25 start on the Asian Handicap line at [1.70]. Supporting Fulham in this market would see a half-stakes profit earned should the match end all-square with a full pay-out enjoyed if the guests grab top honours.
Three of the four early season encounters involving these two teams have produced Under 2.5 Goals [1.93] profit and with Huddersfield so far struggling to make inroads going forward, a repeat could be considered handy value on Friday night. indeed, Fulham’s fixtures have featured just 10 on-target attempts thus far, adding clout to the case.
Even so, I’m happy to ignore the goals markets for the time being. There’s no doubting the potential attacking threat in both teams, whilst neither club were renowned for their solid and organised defensive approaches during disastrous Premier League campaigns.
Source: BetFair Tips
