Saturday Championship Tips: Improving Huddersfield to edge past out-of-form QPR

Jack Critchley
07 February 2020

Danny Cowley took plenty of positives from his side's performance last weekend

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Huddersfield enjoyed a productive January transfer window and were unlucky not to get something at Craven Cottage seven days ago. Jack Critchley believes that the Terriers can bounce back from that disappointment with three points on Saturday afternoon...

"Huddersfield have lost just twice at this ground since mid-September and even prevented high-flying Brentford from leaving with maximum points a fortnight ago"

QPR to slump to third consecutive Championship defeat

Huddersfield 2.3811/8 v QPR 3.1511/5; The Draw 3.55/2

Charlton's victory at home to Barnsley last weekend has tightened things up at the bottom of the Championship table and as a result, Huddersfield have found themselves slowly being sucked back into a relegation battle. The Terriers had pulled away from the danger zone, however, with just a single victory in 2020, the West Yorkshire outfit are far from safe.

Many fans have labelled this weekend's home match against QPR as a 'must win' game, and Danny Cowley will see this as the ideal opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the bottom three. Hudderfield made a slow start seven days ago, gifting Fulham a three goal lead, before commencing their fightback. The visitors could easily have taken something from the game and outshot the hosts 9-2 in the second half. Emile Smith Rowe is gradually growing in stature with every passing game and he could prove to be a very astute signing. He's off the mark for the campaign, has already claimed an assist, and is averaging two shots per 90 minutes. With Richard Stearman adding some much needed experience and know-how to the back-line, the January transfer window came at the perfect time for the strugglers.

Cowley has a decent enough record since swapping Sincil Bank for the John Smith's Stadium, although his time at the club has been blighted by injuries. Danny Simpson is set to miss out this weekend, although both Christopher Schindler and Juninho Bacuna could potential deputise for the absent right-back.

Statistically, Huddersfield have the worst home record in the second tier, however, it is slightly skewed by their torrid start to the campaign, which saw them lose four straight games in front of their own fans. They've lost just twice at this ground since mid-September and even prevented high-flying Brentford from leaving with maximum points a fortnight ago.

The hosts may have enjoyed a productive January, however, the same cannot be said for QPR. The West Londoners lost Nahki Wells, who was recalled by Burnley and subsequently sent to Bristol City, and have also suffered three defeats in their last five outings. Mark Warburton's young side are highly unpredictable and are prone to the occasional freak result, however, their away record has been consistently poor and they've struggled on the road in recent weeks.

The R's have lost six of their last eight matches away from Loftus Road with their only recent victory coming against Birmingham City at the beginning of December.

Cowley has spoken about the "overriding positivity" that his side took from their performance at Craven Cottage last weekend and suggested that his new-look side are beginning to gain an identity. The former PE teacher has always enjoyed a solid home record throughout his managerial career and it wouldn't be a surprise to see his side pick up a much-needed three points this weekend. They can be backed at 2.3811/8 on the Exchange and should be trusted to bounce back from last week's blemish.

Reading to heap more misery on out-of-sorts Hull

Reading 2.0421/20 v Hull 43/1; The Draw 3.7511/4

Reading booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup courtesy of a penalty shoot-out victory against Cardiff on Tuesday night. The Royals were taken all the way by the Bluebirds and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Mark Bowen make a couple of changes for this weekend's game. The Berkshire side are comfortably clear of the bottom three, however, they are without a win in five, and some fans are beginning to get a little twitchy.

They are frustratingly difficult to play against and have suffered just two defeats in their last 11 outings. However, too many draws have prevented them from being able to mount an unexpected play-off push. Goals have been at a premium of late, and since beating Fulham on New Year's Day, they've netted on just three occasions. Despite the continued absence of Matt Miazga, they've managed to keep things fairly tight at the back with Millwall being the only side to breach their defence on more than one occasion since the beginning of December.

Miazga is joined by Danny Loader, Andy Yiadom and Lucas Joao on the sidelines whilst Lucas Boye won't be fit enough to face the Tigers on Saturday afternoon.

Hull have endured a disappointing couple of weeks and their misery was further compunded by a heavy defeat at the hands of Brentford seven days ago. The Tigers lost star man Jarrod Bowen to West Ham and midfield schemer Kamil Grosicki to West Brom in the transfer window and the departed duo are going to be extremely difficult to replace. Between them, they were responsible for 22 goals and 12 assists, leaving the club's topscorer as Tom Eaves, a striker who has netted on just four occasions so far this season. The additions of James Scott and Herbie Kane are exciting, however neither of the new boys are likely to hit the ground running.

Grant McCann admitted that he needs to lift the mood around the club and help ensure that heads don't drop during the final couple of months. The men from Humberside should have accumulated enough points to ensure that they don't become embroiled in a relegation battle, however, they've picked up just three points from a possible 15 so far in 2020.

With just two goals in their last four outings, and a real lack of creativity in their ranks, Hull could struggle to create chances at the Madejski Stadium. Reading's form may not be watertight, however, they should be far too streetwise for the struggling visitors. The hosts can be backed at 2.0421/20 and should be able to claim back-to-back home victories against the East Yorkshire outfit.

Another high-scoring encounter at Kenilworth Road

Luton 3.052/1 v Cardiff 2.3411/8; The Draw 3.613/5

Luton have a seven point deficit to make up at the bottom of the Championship and if the Hatters are able to pull off the great escape, they need to start keeping clean sheets. Graeme Jones' side have been thoroughly entertaining to watch this season, however they've conceded 65 times in their opening 30 matches, nine more than any other side.

The Buckinghamshire side picked up a rare victory here a fortnight ago squeezing past Derby County and fans will be hoping for a similar performance this weekend. There is undoubtedly plenty of fight and desire within the squad, however, there appears to be a dearth of calmness and experience at the back, and the bottom club always look suceptible from the moment the opposition cross the halfway line.

Cardiff were taken to extra time and penalties in midweek and Neil Harris must ensure his side don't dwell on their disapppinting FA Cup exit. The Bluebirds have been a little underwhelming in recent weeks despite suffering just a single defeat in their last nine games. The Welsh outfit will also be keen to tighten things up having kept just a single clean sheet in their last seven outings.

Harris' men have looked a little shaky at the back in recent weeks and they could come under pressure from the hosts in this one. James Collins is just a single goal away from hitting double figures whilst Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Kazenga Lua Lua are both capable of producing moments of magic.

This should be another entertaining 90 minutes, and Luton will be keen to avenge the 2-1 defeat they suffered in Welsh capital at the beginning of the campaign. Over 2.5 Goals is a reasonable 1.84/5 on the Exchange and having landed in six of the Hatter's last seven matches, it looks well worth backing once again this weekend.

You can follow Jack Critchley on Twitter @jcritch7

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Recommended bets

Huddersfield vs QPR - Huddersfield Win @ 2.3811/8 (Exchange)
Reading vs Hull - Reading Win @ 2.0421/20 (Exchange)
Luton vs Cardiff - Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.84/5 (Exchange)