The league’s best defence against its leaders in a West Yorkshire derby
Pre-match update (12:40 CET): No fresh injury news from either camp since this preview went up. Callum Connolly serves his ban and Josh Neufville is still out for Bradford, while Huddersfield reported no new problems after the Wigan win and remain without Murray Wallace and Jack Whatmough. I could not confirm the official line-ups at the time of this check, so the teams below are still my predicted XIs. My bet stays Under 2.5 Goals at 1.84 with Winz (3/10). The odds quoted are from Friday’s preview; prices may have moved since.
Huddersfield arrive at Valley Parade top of League One with 25 points and one of the division’s most dangerous attacks, unbeaten in five league games after wins over Plymouth, Peterborough and Wigan. Bradford are fourth, three points behind, and have built their season on something very different: five goals conceded in 12 league games. Michael Duff, a former Huddersfield manager, has made them even harder to break down since replacing Graham Alexander in early October. His four league games have finished 0-0, 2-0, 0-0 and 0-0, and Bradford also beat Peterborough 2-0 in the EFL Cup on Tuesday to reach the quarter-finals.
Predicted lineups: Bradford vs Huddersfield
Bradford lose Callum Connolly to a one-match ban after his fifth yellow card, and 20-year-old Kieran Morgan is the likely replacement in midfield. Josh Neufville is out with a hamstring injury and Stephen Humphrys is doubtful with a back problem. Huddersfield are without defenders Murray Wallace and Jack Whatmough but have no new concerns after the 2-1 win over Wigan, and Joe Taylor and Derensili Sanches Fernandes should lead the attack again.
Bradford Team News & Preview
Bradford’s games are about as low-scoring as it gets in the EFL. They have scored ten and conceded five in 12 league matches, and only one of those games, a 2-1 home defeat to Cambridge, produced more than two goals. Goalkeeper Jon McCracken has been outstanding and the back three of Macaulay Gillesphey, Reece Welch and Matthew Pennington rarely gives anything away. Their expected goals against stands at just 11.9.
The flip side is the attack. Bobby Pointon and Antoni Sarcevic are the joint top scorers with two league goals each, and Bradford average 0.8 goals a game. Duff’s side will also be playing their second game in four days after Tuesday’s cup tie, which is unlikely to make them more adventurous.
What works for or against Bradford
- Five goals conceded in 12 league games.
- No league goal conceded under Duff.
- Connolly suspended, Neufville injured.
- Played an EFL Cup tie on Tuesday.
Huddersfield Team News & Preview
Huddersfield are the side who could break this bet. Martin Drury’s team have scored 24 goals in 12 games, two a game, with an expected-goals figure of 26.8 that shows the output is no fluke. Joe Taylor has eight league goals and Sanches Fernandes six, and Sanches Fernandes is the highest-rated player in this fixture. They also defend well, with 11 goals conceded.
Their games have been far livelier than Bradford’s, though not always. A 0-0 at Mansfield and a 1-1 at MK Dons show they can be held, and they have had six days to prepare while Bradford played on Tuesday.
What works for or against Huddersfield
- 24 goals in 12 league games.
- Six days' rest against Bradford's three.
- Only 11 goals conceded.
- Held to 0-0 at Mansfield and 1-1 at MK Dons this season.
Bradford vs Huddersfield Odds
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Bradford Form, Stats & Data
Fifteen goals in 12 Bradford league games, both ends combined. Even against one of the best attacks in the division, that profile points to a tight afternoon.
Huddersfield Form, Stats & Data
The best team in the league on these numbers. Huddersfield are the reason this bet carries risk, but they rarely concede many either.
Bradford vs Huddersfield: Prediction & Betting Tip
The strongest argument against the under is Huddersfield’s attack. Two goals a game, 6.2 shots on target per match and a forward line in form could crack even this Bradford defence, and an early goal would force the hosts to come out, which is when games open up.
I still side with the defences. Bradford have kept four straight league clean sheets under Duff, have played only one league game with more than two goals all season, and are without Connolly in midfield after a midweek cup tie. Huddersfield do not need to take risks at the top of the table either. Under 2.5 Goals at 1.84 with Winz is my bet at 3/10. I expect a 1-1.