Huddersfield Town vs Reading - Championship Play-off Final preview and odds

Published on: 29/05/2017

Huddersfield Town vs Reading - Championship Play-off Final preview and odds

May 29 , 2016 15:00pm - Wembley Stadium

Championship Play-off Final

Huddersfield Town and Reading will go head-to-head in the £200m Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium on Monday afternoon, with a place in the Premier League up for grabs.

Huddersfield looking for top flight return after 45-year absence

Huddersfield are looking to return to the top tier of English football for the first time since 1972, and will start Monday`s play-off final as clear favourites. The club has had recent experience of play-off finals having triumphed in the fourth tier edition in 2004 and risen from the third tier by this route in 1995 and 2012.

The Terriers lost eight of their last 16 matches leading up to this final, but a run of just one defeat in their previous 18 gave them enough of a cushion to secure their place in the top five. Fans will now be dreaming of watching their team face some of the biggest names in world football next serason.

Meanwhile, Reading will start this game as underdogs despite finishing four points and two places above their opponents in the league table. Much of that is down to the popularity of their rivals who have developed a bit of a cult following under boss David Wagner. But while Huddersfield remain the hipster`s choice, Reading`s possessive style of play and textbook organisational set-up will appeal to pragmatic punters.

There are concerns, however, about the psychological impact that five previous play-off defeats (1995, 2001, 2003, 2009 and 2011) will have on the Royals. Their only previous trips to the top flight (2006, 2012) were secured automatically as champions.

Recent form (League)

Huddersfield: WDLLW

Reading: WDWWL

Betting odds and tips

The Championship play-off final does not have a reputation for being a high-scoring game. In fact, with so much at stake, this particular final often prompts team to adopt an over-cautious approach. Fans of the "Both Teams to Score" should consider the fact that this outcome has occurred just three times in the last 16 finals.

With tactical stability and error-avoidance the order of the day, the draw after 90 minutes might come into play. However, with no penalty shootouts in the last 14 seasons, expect a resolution before extra-time is up.

Back The Draw at 11/5 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 29/05/2017

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (29/05/2017 09:54:04) but are subject to change.