*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
It’s all change for Huddersfield and Burnley. The Clarets find themselves in a new division with a new management set up and some of their Premier League stalwarts clambering through the escape hatch back into the top flight.
For The Terriers things are equally uncertain as the excellent Carlos Corberan said ta’ra to the Yorkshire club after guiding them to a relatively unlikely 3rd-placed finish last term and a playoff-final defeat. Paddy’s traders consider it unlikely they’ll get anywhere near that this time around and they’re 18th favourites for the title.
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For Burnley, they’re the 4th-shortest side for glory on the eve of kick off and the eyes of the English game will be on the fascinating management combo of Vincent Kompany and his assistant Craig Bellamy. The old good cop, bad cop, eh?
How the hell is this going to play out then? Lots of unknowns but I think there are some things we’ll be able to rely on. Here’s a Bet Builder for the 2022/23 EFL season opener.
*A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 30/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
Friday 8pm: Huddersfield v Burnley
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
Under 2.5 Goals
One thing that history tells us is to expect a tight, low scoring game. We all know the stereotypes about Burnley, especially from their time in the top flight and Kompany’s arrival doesn’t look likely to spark a surge in attacking football.
While managing Anderlecht last season the former Manchester City defender saw Unders in three of his last five, though it was rather less frequent going further back. Danny Schofield, Corberan’s replacement at Huddersfield, is something of an unknown stepping into the hot seat for the first time on a permanent basis after some caretaker stints.
We can be pretty sure that both sides and their rookie managers will be looking to keep it tight and avoid defeat in their first matches. Under 2.5 Goals has landed in three of their last five meetings so we’ll side with that trend continuing.
The Draw
With so much uncertainty surrounding this game it could pay to sit on the fence and back The Draw. You’d think Burnley have the stronger squad but they’re away from home and that has to come into the equation.
As mentioned, Huddersfield are in transition and are not fancied to go well in general this season so I’m remiss to throw my sizeable bulk behind them without a ball being kicked. Sometimes you’ve just got to play the field and the price on The Draw looks most appealing.
Over 3.5 Cards
One thing I thing we can expect is a few cards as the players look to put themselves about and show a bit of willing to hopefully impress their new managers. The EFL is a bit more forgiving than the Premier League but Burnley were normally pretty good value for two bookings a game last term.
Huddersfield were fairly well behaved last season but we’ll have to wait to see how they approach this campaign. Given the early-season enthusiasm and the tight nature of this game I think we’ll be averaging slightly higher with these two and Over 3.5 Cards is the way to play.
Jay Rodriguez to Score Anytime
Fairly slim pickings in the goal scorer markets. Danny Ward was Huddersfield’s top scorer last term with 14 goals in 47 appearances but I’ve been burned too many times by him to have any faith. Instead I’ll side with a Burnley striker in the shape of Jay Rodriguez.
He’s almost certain to start and bagged a seven in the Premier League last season. We all know the gulf that exists between the top and second tier these days and Rodriguez could be one of those players who thrives in the Championship but can’t quite do the business with the big boys. Rodriguez to Score Anytime might be your best play in this market.
Huddersfield v Burnley tips
Under 2.5 Goals
The Draw
Over 3.5 Goals
Jay Rodriguez to Score Anytime
*A Bet Builder with these bets pays at approximately 30/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.
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*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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