English football returns this weekend and begins in the Championship with an intriguing clash on Friday night as Huddersfield host Burnley’s first game back in the second tier.
Huddersfield outperformed anyone’s wildest expectations last year and reached the play off final – eventually losing to Nottingham Forest in a game where they felt they should have had one, if not two, penalties. However, most of the plaudits for their success last season were towards former Leeds assistant Carlos Corberan who resigned over the summer as he felt that he did not think that they could replicate last season with the limited backing he was provided. New boss Danny Schofield was part of the backroom staff last season, and he will be trying to continue the project that Corberan started. However, this is his first managerial job at senior level, and it remains to be seen how he will adapt.
Burnley were finally relegated last season after seemingly getting closer and closer each year. In doing so, they sacked long standing manager Sean Dyche who had been in charge for ten years. There seems to be a change in the style of play at Burnley from the stereotypical 442 of Dyche and this is highlighted by the appointment of former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, who has spent the last few years in Belgium managing Anderlecht with a more fluid 352. Kompany favours a more patient style of play, and his main weakness was the number of goals they conceded – a direct contrast to Dyche’s Burnley. Whilst only slightly more experienced than Schofield, there are questions as to how long it may take for Kompany to put his mark on the team.
Huddersfield v Burnley Bet Builder Tips
Both Teams to Score
Huddersfield have had a torrid time over the summer. Not only did they lose Corberan, but two key players in Harry Toffolo and Lewis O’Brien followed the Nottingham Forest to the Premier League. Vital players in Corberan’s system, they had a combined 42 goal contributions last year and seen as a potential reason for Corberan’s departure. However, they will be pleased to see that they have managed to keep forward Tino Anjorin on loan who missed a lot of last season with injury.
A critical part of Huddersfield’s success last year was their home record – where they only lost 4 times. In addition, three of those losses were to Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth – all of whom were promoted last season. Despite their issues over the summer, they will want to continue to fortify the John Smith’s Stadium and Schofield will want to get off to a good start and the fans will support and get behind him as a Huddersfield legend. They managed to score 35 goals at home last season and have kept last season’s top scorer Danny Ward and they should manage to find a back of the net against a potentially leaky Kompany defence.
Burnley may not be known for high scoring games with their typically tight defence and defensive football but in the eight games after Dyche was sacked, they managed to score in seven and five saw both teams score. Kompany’s Anderlecht team averaged two goals a game last year but were open at the back, only keeping a clean sheet in 30% of games. Huddersfield should manage to score against a new look defence without Nick Pope, Nathan Collins, James Tarkowski and Ben Mee.
Going forward, Burnley have brought in Scott Twine in what could turn out to be the best signing in the Championship this season (more about him below) and still have Jay Rodriguez who has 54 Championship goals along with Ashley Barnes. Josh Brownhill and Josh Cullen, who followed Kompany from Anderlecht, are more than capable of contributing with goals and assists from midfield as well.
Whilst preseason may not directly translate to league form, it can be a useful indicator. Huddersfield saw both teams score in three of their five games whilst Burnley have seen goals at either end in three of their four. Many of these games will have been heavily rotated teams so it may be worth taking with a pinch of salt.
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Prediction: Both Teams to Score
Burnley Double Chance
Whilst Huddersfield’s home record last year was phenomenal, only five of the players that started against Nottingham Forest at Wembley will be in contention to start on Friday. Therefore, I am very doubtful whether they will be able to continue their incredible record this season. Burnley’s away record was poor last season but in the four games on the road without Dyche as manager, they only lost once – 1-0 at Spurs.
Both teams will be wanting to impress their new managers but with such a high turnover of players and staff, it might take a while for it to click with both teams. However, I think the quality of the Burnley players and squad will have enough to pull through for the Clarets and at the very least take a point back to Turf Moor.
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Prediction: Burnley Double Chance
Scott Twine to have 2+ Shots on Target
Scott Twine is arguably the standout transfer in the Championship this season following his five-million-pound move from MK Dons. Finishing third in the player of the year vote for League 1 last year, Twine managed 20 goals and 13 assists – leading to many Championship clubs being interested and priced out.
Comfortable on both feet, from any distance, his versatility allows him to play through the middle or on the left – which is more likely in Kompany’s system. He averaged 0.46 xG per 90 last season and his numbers have gone up year on year from his time in Swindon to a loan spell at Newport to MK Dons last year.
Twine took 167 shots last year, only failing to hit two 10 times in 48 starts for MK Dons. Averaging 3.15 shots per game across all competitions last season, with just under half landing on target (42.1%), I fancy him to become the ultimate opportunist against a Huddersfield side marred by growing discontent in the fan base. Taking that into account, as well as his 33 goal contributions last season, he should become a star player for Kompany’s side and the more patient style of play should suit him. The Englishman also scored a few free kicks last year and took a penalty for MK Dons. Twine has also managed to score in preseason for his new team, and with two shots on target priced at a massive 4.2, I would not go against adding this to your opening day bet builder for tremendous value.
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Prediction: Scott Twine to have 2+ Shots on Target
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How to watch Huddersfield v Burnley in the Championship
📅 When is Huddersfield v Burnley? / Friday, 29th July 2022, 8:00PM
🏟 Where is Huddersfield v Burnley? / The John Smith’s Stadium (Huddersfield)
📺 What TV channel is Huddersfield v Burnley on? / Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Football
🟨 …And who is the referee for Huddersfield v Burnley? / J. Linington 🏴
