Huddersfield vs. Barnsley Predictions: Terriers to send down sorry Tykes

We're back to the ever exciting Championship on Friday and a Yorkshire derby between play-off bound Huddersfield Town and a Barnsley side that will be relegated should they fail to win here. We've asked our resident Terrier @OddsT3rrier to study this one and give us his two best bets for this crucial clash for both sides. 

Automatic promotion now looks extremely unlikely for Huddersfield Town and the last three games will not only define their end result in the table and the play-off positions but will also set a benchmark for how they are likely to play in those crucial knock out games. Who would have thought back in August we would be having these conversations at this time of year - most Town fans back then were merely hoping to avoid relegation and its a reminder of just what a terrific job Head Coach Carlos Corberan has managed in West Yorkshire. 

Just 18 miles separate Town and their South Yorkshire neighbours but in terms of distance in the Championship it is light years right now. Barnsley sit rock bottom, below relegated Derby County and need a Lazarus type miracle to avoid the drop back to League One. Reading are 11 points clear and Barnsley need to win all four remaining games, whilst Reading lose all theirs, just to have a hope. Anything other than three points here would see Poya Asbaghi and his charges condemned to the third tier of English football for the first time since 2018/19.

The Terriers have several players out injured including influential winger Sorba Thomas, who took a knock against Middlesbrough and had to come off at half time. He will be seeing a knee specialist today and could be missing for the rest of the season if the news is bad. Danny Ward and Lewi Colwill miss out again here through injury so we may see a similar side to the one that finished the game on Monday.

Barnsley will be without Michal Helik and Aapo Halme. 

I expect the Terriers to win this one comfortably. The 4/7 on offer for the match result doesn't interest me and I like Huddersfield to win this by more than a clear goal. Two of their last three fixtures have ended 2-0 and four of their last five victories have been by at least two goals. In contrast Barnsley have lost three of their last five fixtures by at least two goals. 

The 17/10 on offer with Paddy Power for Town to win with a goal handicap looks too large and will be my main bet. 

Next up we're utilising team news to enhance our bets. Sorba Thomas has been ruled out here already and as the primary source of Huddersfield assists (11 this season), will need to be replaced. That should come in the form of Danel Sinani who will likely start on the wing in place of Thomas. Sinani will be taking all corners and free kicks, from which Huddersfield are a massive threat. They lead the League (20) in goals from set pieces and with the likes of Jon Russell, Naby Sarr and Tom Lees to aim at, the 25-year-old Luxembourger should have a field day. 

The last pick is a bit of a speculative punt. I've already mentioned the 2-0 victories earlier and it is Town's result of choice. They've won five times this year already with that scoreline, including in three of their last five wins. bet365 have boosted the price from the generally available 6/1 all the way out to 8/1. Its worth a small stake. 

Good luck if you follow any of these selections and enjoy the football.