Wednesday 5th April, 19:45
Live on Sky Sports 1
Huddersfield
Huddersfield boss David Wagner insists Wednesday night's clash against Norwich is not a 'must-win' encounter despite seeing his side's automatic promotion hopes hit the buffers following successive defeats.
The Terriers fell victim to a smash-and-grab raid by Burton on Saturday, leaking a 96th minute winner after enjoying 70% possession and firing in 18 attempts at goal. But Town struggled to breakdown their opposition and failed to create enough clear-cut chances.
Dean Whitehead was dismissed and will now miss the midweek match whilst Izzy Brown and Kasey Palmer are both absent through injury. However, Wagner was handed a big boost with Jonathan Hogg expected to return; Huddersfield's win ratio is 61% when Hogg starts compared to 47% when he's unavailable.
Norwich
Norwich are seven points adrift of the top-six following another disappointing result on the road. The Canaries were beaten 2-0 at Aston Villa meaning the manager-less club have claimed a sole success in eight outings now.
Caretaker boss Alan Irvine faces an almighty task in trying to revive the club and despite a bright performance in possession at Villa Park, the Norfolk outfit failed to pack a punch and wilted when coming under pressure.
Graham Dorrans limped off at half-time and joins an increasing injury list alongside Wes Hoolahan, Louis Thompson, Youssouf Mulumbu and Matt Jarvis whilst first-choice full-backs Ivo Pinto and Mitchell Dijks are both suspended for the trip to Yorkshire.
Match Odds
Huddersfield have claimed top honours in seven of their past 10 games at the John Smith's Stadium and with 22/38 (58%) Championship triumphs across the campaign, are worthy 2.14 favourites to clinch a positive result here.
The Terriers tend to struggle against deep-lying defences but that shouldn't be the case on Wednesday with Norwich often keen to take the initiative in second-tier duels. The hosts have W6-D0-L2 when welcoming top-half opposition and boast the tools to overcome the Canaries.
In fact, we can enhance the odds on a home triumph to 14/5 by backing Huddersfield to win by exactly one goal. It's proven a profitable formula in 11 of the Terriers' 13 home victories and 18 of their 20 Championship wins this term.
Norwich 3.70 have leaked the opening goal in nine of their past 13 away days and although they matched resurgent Aston Villa for long periods at the weekend, they've lost three of their past four on the road and have suffered in games as guests all season.
City have W4-D5-L11 on their travels with only relegated Rotherham shipping more than their eye-watering 40 goals against. The visitors have W0-D3-L6 against the top-seven, conceding 19 goals in W0-D1-L4 away days at the same opposition.
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
Over 2.5 Goals is offered at a value 2.02 price on Wednesday night. The two clubs have breached the two-goal line in 24/39 (62%) of their respective home/away league games, a percentage success rate that would imply betting odds of 1.61.
However, three of Huddersfield's past four fixtures as hosts have featured no more than a solitary strike and with key attacking personnel in both camps absent or rated major doubts, I'm happy to swerve the goals market.
Recommended Bets
Back Huddersfield to by exactly one goal @ [14/5]
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