STAR PREVIEW Sun: Huddersfield Town v Nottingham Forest

The season-ender for the Football League, the ‘richest match in football’ returns this weekend as the EFL Championship Play-Off Final takes place between Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield Town at Wembley Stadium.

Huddersfield Town v Nottingham Forest
Championship Play-Off Final
Wembley
Kick Off: 16:30
Sky Sports Main Even HD / Sky Sports Football HD / Sky Sports Ultra HD

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches, since 2010)
MAR 2022 FA CUP Forest 2-1 Huddersfield
DEC 2021 CHAMPIONSHIP Forest 0-1 Huddersfield
SEP 2021 CHAMPIONSHIP Huddersfield 0-2 Forest
APR 2021 CHAMPIONSHIP Forest 0-2 Huddersfield
SEP 2020 CHAMPIONSHIP Huddersfield 1-0 Forest
JUN 2020 CHAMPIONSHIP Forest 3-1 Huddersfield
DEC 2019 CHAMPIONSHIP Huddersfield 2-1 Forest
APR 2017 CHAMPIONSHIP Forest 2-0 Huddersfield
DEC 2016 CHAMPIONSHIP Huddersfield 2-1 Forest
FEB 2016 CHAMPIONSHIP Forest 0-2 Huddersfield

🟥 Nottingham Forest 🟥

Nottingham Forest are seeking their first return back to the Premier League since 1999 whilst Huddersfield Town are looking to regain top flight status for the first time since 2019.

Forest go into the tie as favourites, a status deemed unthinkable nine months ago when Chris Hughton was sacked in September last year after starting the season with six losses and one draw. However, Steve Cooper’s turnaround at the club has been nothing short of remarkable.

Coming in with 38 GAMES to play, rooted to the bottom of the Championship and climbing 20 places is an incredible effort. If they were to top it off with Premier League status for the first time this millennium, at their first visit to the new Wembley Stadium? Stuff of dreams for their long-suffering fanbase.

Youngster Brennan Johnson has been the star of the Reds’ season with a brilliant 16 goals and 10 assists in the league and with Premier League clubs likely to swoop for him if Forest don’t win, his impact in this will be vital to Forest’s future.

🟦 Huddersfield Town 🟦

Huddersfield Town’s performances have also been hugely worthy of credit. Whilst the budgets at the Yorkshire club might be far smaller than those around them in the final standings, their performances have been incredibly admirable. A team of their stature, (albeit with some recent Premier League experience) getting 3rd in the Championship is as much a mighty effort as Forest’s run up the league from relegation.

Head Coach Carlos Corberan joined the club from local rivals Leeds United in July 2020 and despite a disappointing 20th placed finish in 20/21, has consistently kept the club in and around the playoff spots this year.

Chelsea loanee Levi Colwill has been a rock at the back in his 29 appearances and given himself a possible shot at returning to parent club Chelsea, whilst Looking further forward, the goals have been shared out across 16 different players, led by Danny Ward with 14 league strikes this season.

There’s also creativity from 22-year-old Sorba Thomas, who has 11 league assists this season. They might be the underdogs at 12/5, but a team built on grit and the classy football Corberan employs shouldn’t be underestimated – just look at Fulham in 2020!
Verdict:

The Championship Play-Off Final always has the chance to be a game of surprise, but the head points towards Nottingham Forest returning to the top-flight. Under Steve Cooper, they look like a Premier League team in waiting and 21/20 looks a fair price for them to reach the promised land again in 90 minutes.

Brennan Johnson may not have a goal against Town this season, but he could be the man to make the difference here and 19/4 looks to be a generous anytime price for him to get on the scoresheet.

WILLIAM KEDJANYI

RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Nottingham Forest to win in 90 minutes 2 pts at 21/20 (Latest Star Price ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Brennan Johnson to score anytime 1 pt at 2/1

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