Eng. Championship
2012-08-21 - Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Championship
Tuesday 21 August 2012 - Kick Off 7:45pm
Huddersfield
It looked like Huddersfield's return to the second tier of English football was going to be a positive one as they were just moments away from securing a point from their first game of the season at promotion contenders Cardiff. However, they conceded in the final minute of that game and can only take a 1-0 defeat away.
That means the team have now lost both games they have played this season without scoring a goal as that defeat followed a 2-0 defeat at Preston North End in the Capital One Cup last Monday.
Huddersfield were promoted with a 14-6-3 home record in League One, scoring 35 goals and conceding 19 in those games which means they had one of the stronger home defences as they were one of three teams that had not conceded more than 20 goals at home. It will be their results here that will determine whether they can consolidate their position in the Championship so Simon Grayson will want them to get off to a good start.
Jordan Rhodes is the main striker for the Terriers but he is a major doubt for this game. Oscar Gobern and Danny Ward both missed the game at Cardiff and are expected to miss out again.
Nottingham Forest
It has been said that a lot of money was placed on Nottingham Forest to win the Championship after new owners took over with the promise of heavy investment in the club. They have spent the money, but Forest fans will still be a little unsure as to whether they are able to make a promotion push this season.
Forest have opened the season with two wins out of two as they have beaten Fleetwood in the Capital One Cup and then followed that up with another 1-0 win at the weekend as they picked up their first three points of the season against Bristol City at home. Sean O'Driscoll is keep expectations in check though as he doesn't believe it is a good start until you look at the League table after 10 games.
The side struggled for much of last season, but a late season turn of form ensured they avoided relegation. They finished 8-3-12 away from home last season, scoring 27 goals and conceding 31 and Forest actually won more points on their travels than they did at the City Ground.
Daniel Ayala will be available for selection, while Simon Gillet and Chris Cohen are both back in training although the latter may miss this game as he is coming off a long-term injury.
Head to Head
This will be the first meeting between the sides in five seasons since both were in League One.
Huddersfield are unbeaten in their last 5 home games against Nottingham Forest, although 3 of the last 4 have ended in draws.
Prediction
This is one of a number of tough games to predict in the Championship during this midweek schedule as there are a lot of uncertainties about the teams and what their actual expectations are for the season.
Huddersfield were strong at home last season and that has to be the foundation of their success this season if they are to stay in this League or go further. The absence of Jordan Rhodes for an extended period would be a concern, but I expect he will be back by the weekend if not for this game.
While they have opened up with 2 defeats this season, Forest have had 2 wins but the latest of those was a little fortunate and I think there is still a lot of work to be done at the City Ground.
It is hard to separate these sides as Huddersfield could be missing Rhodes, but I have a feeling both of these sides may just get on the scoresheet in the game and that is going to be my pick.
They haven't met in a few seasons, but both sides have scored at least one goal in the last 10 matches between them and I think both will get their chances in this one as Huddersfield push forward for the first three points of the season and Nottingham Forest would have targeted games likes this to grab points from and had a decent away record last season.
The Pick :
Huddersfield 1-1 Nottingham Forest
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Both Teams to Score @ 1.85 (Bet Victor)
