Huddersfield v Nottingham Forest: Goals will be scarce between under-pressure pair

Huddersfield v Nottingham Forest
Friday September 25, 19:45
Sky Sports

Huddersfield fail to fire

New Huddersfield head coach Carlos Corberan says his side must learn lessons from their chastening 3-0 defeat to Brentford last weekend. The Terriers conceded just before the hour mark against a well-drilled Bees' side but the 3-0 scoreline particularly irked the Spaniard, with the capital club adding two late goals to rub salt into Town wounds.

Corberan says the players owe it to supporters to "find a reaction" after going behind, rather than meekly surrendering. The Huddersfield boss' comments were echoed by defender Richard Stearman post-match; Terriers supporters will expect an improvement, especially in forward areas with Town yet to score and appearing impotent thus far.

The hosts may have to shuffle their pack defensively for Friday night's fixture with full-back Harry Toffolo and centre-back Christopher Schindler both substituted before half-time against Brentford with injuries. Elsewhere, last season's top goalscorer Karlan Grant will remain unavailable while transfer speculation continues regarding his future.

Nottingham Forest goalless and pointless

Nottingham Forest's winless run extended to nine games as the Tricky Trees were beaten 2-0 by Cardiff last weekend, leaving head coach Sabri Lamouchi under plenty of pressure. Kieffer Moore's first half double proved enough for the Bluebirds at the City Ground, leaving the Reds goalless and pointless from their first three league and cup fixtures in 2020/21.

Forest were overrun in the opening 45 minutes, bullied by Cardiff's physical approach with the Reds' defence quaking at every set-piece. The hosts did improve after the interval with a change of shape potentially the catalyst; Lyle Taylor came on after the hour mark to partner skipper Lewis Grabban up top in a shift away from Lamouchi's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

Grabban was guilty again of spurning Forest's best chance but Lamouchi lamented his side's poor start to the match, and "unacceptable" performance at the back. Changes could be afoot with the club close to completing a deal for highly-rated Aberdeen centre-half Scott McKenna, while energetic midfielder Harry Arter has joined from Fulham.

Under-pressure pair can't be split

The past four fixtures between Huddersfield and Nottingham Forest have been won by the home side, including a 2-1 triumph for the Terriers at the John Smith's Stadium before Christmas last year. Town do boast a strong record when entertaining the Reds, returning a solitary reverse in 12 tussles here dating back to 1997 (W5-D6-L1).

On the flipside, Huddersfield 2.829/5 were beaten 21 times in 2019/20 to survive relegation by three points. The club surprisingly appointed highly-regarded Carlos Corberan soon after the campaign's conclusion with a desire to return to a 'high energy, high intensity, attacking style'. However, they have struggled to adapt thus far, generating just 0.49 xG.

Nottingham Forest 2.829/5 appear to be suffering from last season's hangover. The Tricky Trees seemed all-but-certain to feature in the play-offs before an absurd implosion saw the Reds miss out on the top-six. The additions of Lyle Taylor and Luke Freeman were intended to give the group extra attacking thrust but Forest have looked off the pace in the opening exchanges.

Goals scarce at the John Smith's?

Neither Huddersfield nor Nottingham Forest have managed to get on the scoresheet in 2020/21, firing two blanks each and shipping a combined eight goals in collective games against Norwich, Brentford, QPR and Cardiff. Just one of those four fixtures has crossed the Over 2.5 Goals (2.25) line and a high-scoring showdown appears unlikely on Friday night.

With Huddersfield keen to keep possession but lacking penetration in forward areas, and Forest under Lamouchi comfortable containing and countering, goalmouth action could well be scarce and so supporting No in the Both Teams To Score column at (1.80) is preferred.

Only six (25%) Championship games have seen BTTS bank thus far, with the average goals per-game in the second-tier sitting at a surprisingly low 2.04. Admittedly, just two rounds of action is a particularly small sample but Friday's fixture might not provide masses of entertainment and excitement as the two under-pressure search for their first points.