Huddersfield vs Leeds Prediction: Summerville can give Whites derby glory

There's a huge local derby taking place in the Championship on Saturday dinnertime (12:30), that affects both ends of the table. West Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town and Leeds United lock horns in what should be an exciting and hostile match-up. We've asked our own Terrier, Adam Roberts, to preview this one and he's given us his best betting predictions. 

Just 15 miles separate these two famous old clubs but for much of their existences they have lived in very different football circles. The two almost became one back in 1919, when penniless Huddersfield Town were on the verge of merging with the newly-formed Leeds United, before eventually being financially saved.

Just one year later Town reached the final of the FA Cup and were promoted to the top division, before undertaking a spell of dominance the English game hadn't seen before, winning the FA Cup and three straight First Division titles between 1922-25.

While that was as good as it got for the Kirklees club, with numerous relegations and administrations seeing the club fall into the fourth division of the English Football League, their nearby neighbours underwent their own golden period, winning the league twice in the late 60s and early 70s and again in 1992, as well as several near misses in Europe, establishing The Whites as one of the biggest clubs in the land.

Most of those supporters from a Leeds persuasion wouldn't even refer to this match as a rivalry and will see Town as a mere irritant on their way to reclaiming their former top division glories, perhaps even referring to the game as Huddersfield's 'Cup Final'. One thing is for sure, when the ball is kicked off on Saturday afternoon, both sets of fans will be absolutely desperate to win, be it for bragging rights or for league position.

The Terriers have had a good run of results since sacking Darren Moore, under interim coach Jon Worthington and won their first game out at Watford, with new German Head Coach Andre Breitenreiter in charge. This has taken them to the relative comfort of 19th, yet they still sit just two points above relegation and are still smack bang in the middle of a scrap to stay in the second tier.

At the other end of the table, Leeds are one of the form teams in England, winning their last nine straight Championship games, as well as providing a major scare for Chelsea in midweek in the FA Cup. That run has seen United climb into the automatic promotion positions and Daniel Farke's side are just six points behind the league leaders Leicester City.

Not that you could tell from their 4-1 demolition of Town back in October, but these derby games are usually tighter than the form suggests and this Huddersfield side are an entirely different beast to the lame duck that turned up that day at Elland Road.

Team news

Breitenreiter is still without six of his main squad, with Michael Helik a big miss in the centre of the defence. Elsewhere, Danny Ward may have earned a start after his brace against Watford.

Sam Byram and Patrick Bamford are back in contention for the Whites.

Match odds

Huddersfield are the big 5/1 outsiders to win this one, with Leeds a heavy 8/15 favourite. If you fancy a stalemate in West Yorkshire, it's a 16/5 shot.

Goals are expected in this one, with over 2.5 priced at 8/11.

Leeds to win and Both Teams to Score - 11/5

It pains me to write this but Leeds are simply a better team right now. One glance at the two squads will tell you everything you need to know and whilst I think Town will cause Leeds some problems here, I can't see anything but a United victory.

However, any one who has watched a Huddersfield game recently will know that whatever happens the Terriers will keep on coming.  Worthington set the stall out with his front-foot attitude and Breitenreiter looks to have instilled the same 'Terrier Spirit' in the squad.

I think this could be a high scoring, entertaining game for the neutrals, with Leeds taking the spoils on their march into the top tier.

Crysencio Summerville to score and Alex Matos to be carded - 15/2

It amazes me that Leeds held onto this kid in the summer and January. Summerville is simply too good for the Championship and surely will be playing at a higher level next season, whether it's with Farke's men or not.

Summerville has 23 goal involvements in 31 games, with 15 goals to his name and is often the difference maker for the Beeston-based club.

As for Matos and this 19-year-old is yet another in the line of successful Chelsea loanees at Huddersfield. Following in the steps of Leon Knight, Izzy Brown, Trevor Chalobah, Kasey Palmer and Levi Colwill, Matos has been an absolute revelation since putting on the famous blue and white shirt.

The combative midfielder is a red-hot copper ball of energy and runs till he drops. Despite his drive and tempo, Matos is partial to a lunging challenge and up against the likes of Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev tomorrow I think he will pick up another caution.

Enjoy what is sure to be a riveting game.

You can follow all our latest Football Betting Tips over on our dedicated football hub.