Huddersfield v Luton betting tips: All square ahead of second leg
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Huddersfield v Luton betting tips, odds and preview
The first Championship play-off semi-final is all square heading into the second leg as we study the odds to pick out some Huddersfield v Luton betting tips.
The Terriers finished third in the Championship table and took an early lead in the first leg thanks to Daniel Sinani’s smart finish but they had to settle for a 1-1 draw after Sonny Bradley equalised for sixth-placed Luton.
It means the tie is in the balance ahead of tonight’s meeting at the John Smith’s Stadium, which kicks off at 7.45pm and is live on Sky Sports.
Home much help for Huddersfield?
Huddersfield started the tie as favourites to reach the Championship play-off final and remain so after the 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road.
Carlos Corberan’s men are now 3/5 to go through and 6/5 for victory in 90 minutes, having beaten Luton 2-0 at home last month.
The Terriers have only suffered one home defeat since the start of December and that was against runners-up Bournemouth so they will be confident of getting the job done in front of a packed stadium.
Luton’s away form will also give them encouragement, with the Hatters failing to win on their travels against any of the top eight this season with five defeats and two draws.
🇱🇺 SINANI 🇱🇺#htafc | @SinaniDanel pic.twitter.com/uCAwlYVi6W
— Huddersfield Town (@htafc) May 14, 2022
Historical form in the play-offs is not in Huddersfield’s favour though, with Town having never won a home leg despite appearing in the end-of-season drama nine times and winning four promotions.
The second leg is 21/10 to go to extra time while Huddersfield are 10/1 to win on penalties, just as they did in both the play-off semi-final and final under David Wagner in 2017.
Hatters still hopeful
Luton were on the back foot for much of the second half at Kenilworth Road but boss Nathan Jones is confident his side can complete the job in the second leg.
The Hatters edged the first half in terms of chances and dominated possession but it was a different story after the break as the visitors began to take control.
Luton are now 5/4 to reach Wembley and 5/2 to win in 90 minutes but Jones is not worried about his team being the underdogs.
“It’s the same job that we knew we had to do, it’s not like suddenly it’s impossible,” he said after the first leg.
“We’ve come here, we haven’t lost the game and that was really, really important we didn’t lose the game.
All to play for at The Kenny 🤝
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) May 13, 2022
“First half we were excellent, we should have got more from the half, but that’s the way it goes, and it’s a wonderful tie to go away at Huddersfield now.
“They were probably better in the second half without getting the chances, controlled possession in the middle of the field and we struggled to deal with that.
“We struggled to get to that press, but first half I thought we were electric, I really did. Tactically both sides went at it and it just shows we’re a Championship side.”
Huddersfield v Luton team news
The 72-hour turnaround between both legs means a test of fitness as well as nerve and both managers may opt to rotate their squad.
Huddersfield boss Corberan looks to have the most options, with impressive Chelsea loanee Levi Colwill an unused substitute in the first leg so he could replace Naby Sarr or Tom Lees in the centre of defence.
Jordan Rhodes ended the season in good form and is an option up front while Pipa replaced fellow right-back Oli Turton at half-time and could start.
The Spaniard is more of an attacking threat than his goal record suggests and he went close to grabbing a late winner for Huddersfield in the first leg so he is worth considering as an anytime goalscorer for Huddersfield v Luton betting tips at 22/1 or 50/1 to score first.
Luton were dealt a blow when top scorer Elijah Adebayo failed to recover from a hamstring injury in time to feature in the first leg.
Jones said picking the 17-goal striker was “too big a risk” on Friday but added that “the risk might be worth it” for the second leg.
Adebayo is 5/1 to open the scoring but does not have fond memories of this venue having missed a penalty when the teams met last month.
A repeat of that 2-0 win for the Terriers can be added to Huddersfield v Luton betting tips at 9/1 but both teams will be going for broke late on and goals at both ends looks good value at evens.
Looking at the #YourCall betting markets, Huddersfield to win or draw in 90 minutes, both teams to score in the second half and over 2.5 goals looks a possibility at 11/2.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
