Huddersfield Town vs Luton Town match preview: Form, h2h and score prediction

Back in May, Huddersfield Town vs Luton Town was a Championship play-off fixture with both teams dreaming of the Premier League.

It was Huddersfield who prevailed over two-legs, with injury-hit Luton unable to take chances despite being the better team over the majority of both legs.

Fast forward 7 months and it is Luton who are best placed for a second successive top-6 finish, with Huddersfield heading into the New Years Day fixture in 22nd place and the Hatters 7th.

The Opposition

Following the departure of Carlos Corberan at the end of last season, Huddersfield handed the reigns to Danny Schofield. Schofield had been at the club since February 2020 and worked under Corberan as Professional Development Coach.

An internal appointment for continuity purposes is something that has been successful previously for the Hatters, but for the Terriers this was not the case. Schofield lasted 9 matches, losing 7 and winning only 1.

Mark Fotheringham was appointed Head Coach in September and has overseen 14 matches, losing 7 and winning only 4. That said, 2 of those wins have come in the 4 days with victory at Preston on Boxing Day and at home to Rotherham on 29th December.

Players to watch out for

Wales international Sorba Thomas is a constant threat for the Terriers, and despite not showing form in recent weeks, he remains to be someone Luton will be wary of. The former Boreham Wood winger contributed 12 assists and 3 goals last season and can deliver sensational set pieces. In fact, no team scored more goals from set pieces during the 2021/22 Championship season than Huddersfield (21).

Jordan Rhodes was the scorer of the goal that ended Luton's Premier League dream last season and he also scored during the 3-3 draw at Kenilworth Road back in October. Rhodes has 5 for the season, including 2 in the last 2.

Prediction

Huddersfield will have increased confidence after back-to-back wins, but the Hatters also head into the fixture with 6 points from their last 2 and have proven difficult to beat so far this season with only 6 defeats in 24 matches.

With 5 of the last 9 meetings ending all square, I'll go for another score draw.

Huddersfield Town 1-1 Luton Town

Date – 1st January 2023

Kick off – 15:00

Venue – John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield

Head to Head record (previous 9 matches)

Luton Town 2 wins – 5 draws – Huddersfield Town 2 wins

Date Result Competition

31 Aug 2019 Luton Town v Huddersfield Town W 2-1 Championship

10 Jul 2020 Huddersfield Town v Luton Town W 0-2 Championship

07 Nov 2020 Huddersfield Town v Luton Town D 1-1 Championship

06 Feb 2021 Luton Town v Huddersfield Town D 1-1 Championship

02 Oct 2021 Luton Town v Huddersfield Town D 0-0 Championship

11 Apr 2022 Huddersfield Town v Luton Town L 2-0 Championship

13 May 2022 Luton Town v Huddersfield Town D 1-1 Championship Play-Offs

16 May 2022 Huddersfield Town v Luton Town L 1-0 Championship Play-Offs

04 Oct 2022 Luton Town v Huddersfield Town D 3-3 Championship