Huddersfield vs Reading: With the battle for the bottom of the Championship now sealed after Huddersfield’s win against Sheffield United on May 4, 2023, The host will play the final match of the regular season against Reading on May 8, 2023.
The win over Sheffield United confirms Huddersfield’s stay in the Championship, but they can condemn their visitors to the drop with just one game left.
Huddersfield vs Reading Preview
Huddersfield in the Championship had a series of poor performances, getting 28 points in 31 matches, before drastically improving their fortunes under the new manager Neil Warnock in mid-February.
In his 14 games at the helm in West Yorkshire, Huddersfield picked up 22 points despite winning just one out of the first six matches.
After winning three straight matches across late March and early April, beating Millwall, Middlesbrough, and Watford to move onto 42 points with six games left to play, Huddersfield moved away from the relegation zone.
Also following a draw with Blackburn Rovers and a defeat at the hands of Swansea City.
Neil Warnock’s men earned a tangible point against in-form Sunderland with a 1-1 draw. They kept on chasing big matches with discipline.
The Terriers reached their objective of securing a Championship stay after winning against the newly promoted Sheffield United thanks to Danny Ward’s second-half goal.
With no pressure on the final day, the Terriers will just want to enjoy their games and end their season on a high note, with Warnock’s tenure expected to come to an end.
With no relegation spot left to decide, Reading’s League One status has been confirmed. The Royals looked to have done more than enough to secure a mid-table finish under the management of Paul Ince.
However, due to the six-point deduction at the beginning of April, the team found themselves in the relegation zone.
They were also unable to bounce back from the disappointment. Paul Ince was dismissed and was replaced by Noel Hunt as the interim manager.
However, Hunt was unable to change the fortunes of the team. The club still awaits a victory after 11 matches.
After drawing with Burnley and Luton Town, Reading suffered a disappointing defeat away from home.
After that, the team played against newly relegated Wigan last weekend, but a 93rd-minute goal from Yakou Meite saved the match for the Royals.
Huddersfield vs Reading Team News
Neil Warnock may decide to deploy an unchanged starting eleven from the victory against Sheffield United for the final game of the season.
Danny Ward is set to lead the line after his impressive goal in that encounter against Sheffield United.
He is likely to be supported by Josh Koroma and Jack Rudoni in the attacking line. Also, David Kasumu and Jonathan Hogg will stay close in the midfield.
Tom Lees, Michal Helik, and Matty Pearson will line up in an unchanged back three.
Reading has a long list of injuries to Sam Hutchinson, Liam Moore, Tom Ince, and Ovie Ejaria.
Hunt could afford to bring in youngsters Kelvin Abrefa and Mamadi Camara, hoping to get a start against the Terriers.
Andy Carroll could be back in contention to face Huddersfield after scoring nine goals in 30 Championship appearances. Also, Lucas Joao, Shane Long, Yakou Meite, and 20-year-old Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan are fighting to play against Huddersfield.
Chelsea loanee Cesare Casadei should again feature in Reading’s midfield before returning to Chelsea to start preparing for the preseason. Tom Holmes and Tom McIntyre could both start in the middle of the defense.
Huddersfield vs Reading Probable Line Up
Huddersfield Town Probable lineup:
Nicholls; Lees, Helik, Pearson; Edmonds-Green, Hogg, Kasumu, Headley; Rudoni, Koroma; Ward
Reading Probable lineup:
Lumley; Abrefa, Holmes, McIntyre, Guinness-Walker; Hendrick, Casadei, Camara, Azeez; Carroll, Ehibhatiomhan
Huddersfield vs Reading Prediction
Huddersfield, with two back-to-back wins, have already confirmed their safety and will love to end their seasons on a high note. Reading, on the other hand, who are currently relegated, wouldn’t want to put up a fight.
Prediction: Huddersfield 3-1 Reading