English League One
2011-10-08 - Huddersfield Town vs Stevenage Borough
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football – England – League One
Saturday 8th October 2011 – Kickoff: 1500hrs
Huddersfield Town welcome visitors Stevenage to the Galpharm Stadium on Saturday afternoon and will be looking to extend their impressive eleven match unbeaten run which has seen Huddersfield claim fifth spot ahead of this fixture.
Huddersfield Town
The Terriers have enjoyed one of their best starts to a season having not lost at all in League One so far. Their home record stands at a solid 3-2-0 11/5 and come off the back of a convincing 4-0 away win at Brentford last weekend.
You’ve got to feel a little sorry for Huddersfield with previous finishes of third and sixth, then crashing out of the play-offs at the crucial stage, particularly last season when they finished 8 points clear of eventually promoted Peterborough United – could this be their season?
Perhaps, but they may just lack that killer edge where they take all three points instead of drawing, which again has been the case on occasions thus far and manager Lee Clark will want to see this edge far more often, particularly at home.
Huddersfield do possess quality in their attacking areas though with the likes of forward Lee Novak (5 goals, 5 assists), Jordan Rhodes (4 goals, 1 assist – in 5 starts and bagged a brace at Brentford), midfielder Gary Roberts (4 goals, 1 assist), defender Jack Hunt (1 goal, 4 assists) and former Crystal Palace forward Alan Lee (3 goals), which underlines their strength in depth.
Former Birmingham players Damien Johnson and keeper Ian Bennett also provide important Championship & to a lesser extent, Premiership experience.
Stevenage Borough
Newly promoted Stevenage have adapted to the step-up in divisions in comfortable fashion and currently sit mid-table following a great start which saw them lose just once in their first eight matches.
However, Stevenage have now endured a three match losing skid at the hands of Notts County, Carlisle United and Scunthorpe United and a trip to promotion-chasing Huddersfield is not good timing.
Stevenage’s away record stands at an indifferent 1-2-2 5/5, and picking up anything they can on the road will be their aim as manager Graham Westley’s prime ambition will be to retain their League One status and so this campaign is one of consolidation.
That said, Westley’s men gave promotion candidates Sheffield Wednesday a footballing lesson mid-September seeing them off 5-1, and this was a warning shot to the other promotion-chasing teams to beware.
Forward Craig Reid (4 goals) is their leading goalscorer, and is joined by midfielder Chris Beardsley (3 goals) and John Mousinho (2 goals, 1 assist). Defender Lawrie Wilson has provided 3 assists, and whilst they have adequate at home so far, I wonder about their ‘street-wise’ ability to carve out chances on the road?
The Betting Verdict :
In my opinion, Huddersfield possess far greater attacking options and depth and this must surely be a fixture they need to put to bed if they are to finally gain Championship status – Huddersfield to win 2-0.
The Pick :
Huddersfield 2-0 Stevenage
BEST BETTING TIP :
Main Pick :Take Huddersfield to win @ 1.70 at Victor Chandler – be quick!
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
