Huddersfield vs Preston Prediction: Moore draws on the way

There's a roses clash on Tuesday night (19:45), as 9th placed Preston North End visit the John Smiths' Stadium to take on a struggling Huddersfield Town. We've asked our resident Terrier, Adam Roberts to preview this one and to give us his betting selections.

Darren Moore appears to have taken a leaf out of Ryan Lowe's playbook from the start of last season, where the Deepdale club were famously hard to break down and kept drawing games.

After taking over a slightly poisoned chalice, following the unexpected and unwanted nature of Neil Warnock's dismissal, Moore initially attempted to play open attacking football, but it ended in back-to-back battering's against Cardiff City and West Yorkshire rivals Leeds United.

This saw the former Sheffield Wednesday manager change formation and personnel and opt for a far more defensive, solid set-up. There's no doubting it's had an effect, with the Terriers conceding just five goals in the last six games, losing just one of those to Hull City.

However, they have drawn four from six and picked up just the solitary win against Sunderland, which saw the end of Tony Mowbray's reign on Wearside. That stuttering form has enabled an in-form QPR and Owls to rein them back in at the bottom of the table, where they sit 21st and just two points above relegation.

They have to start winning, particularly at home and they might face a good opportunity against Preston, who are in a terrible run of form, winning just two of their last 13 games.

North End started like a house on fire at the start of the season, winning six of their opening eight Championship games to sit top of the table, before the current slump, which has seen them plummet down the table. If they were to lose again in a wet and cold HD1 on Tuesday night, the growing minority calling for his dismissal will continue to swell.

Team news

Ben Jackson was the latest addition to an ever-growing Terriers injury list, with as many as seven first team squad members currently unavailable. Town winger, Sorba Thomas is available again, following his one-match suspension.

For North End, the attacking pair of Emil Riis and Milutin Osmajic miss out for this one through injury. Ryan Lowe could be tempted to bring in attacking midfielder Duane Holmes, to play against his hometown club.

Match odds

The Betfred traders are really struggling to split these two old famous clubs, with Huddersfield the slightest of favourites at 8/5 and Preston just a tick higher at 13/8. That is also reflected in the draw price, which is as short as 15/8 currently. Goals are expected to be at a premium, with unders trading at a very short 4/7, whilst BTTS No is favourite at 4/5.

Match Result - Draw - 15/8

Town have now drawn nine games from 20 this season and whilst, in the words of 90's indie band Hard-fi, they have become 'Hard to Beat', by God they're a tough watch.

I'll be making the short trip with the Preston fans down the M62 for this one and I can't say I'm particularly enthused about it, with under 2.5 goals as short as 4/7!

I think both sides will cancel each other out once again and we'll see a dour, low scoring draw.

#PickYourPunt: Delano Burgzorg to score and Duane Holmes to be carded - 8/1

I've gone for something a touch higher priced for my second selection, with Del Burgzorg to score and returning 'favourite' Holmes to be carded.

The Dutch striker is on a bit of a run, if you can call it that, at the moment, with two goals in his last three. The 25-year-old loanee clearly has talent but also frustrates in equal measure. Burgzorg is fond of an early shot and I like his chances of getting on the scoresheet once again.

As for Holmes, the US native grew up in nearby Wakefield from the age of two and spent his formative years at the Kirklees club. He returned from Derby County in 2021 but, despite some good performances, was plagued with injuries and never really established himself in the first team.

Holmes has an extremely short fuse at times and can be reckless in the tackle. Town fans know that and will keen to get onto his back at any given opportunity.

You can see all our latest Championship Football Betting Tips at our Insights hub.