Huddersfield v Leeds United: Championship match preview and free football tips

Football tips, best bets and predictions for Huddersfield Town v Leeds United in the Sky Bet Championship.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football & Main Event, 12.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Huddersfield +1 on Asian handicap
1pt 97-100 bet365
Back this tip with bet365

Team news

Huddersfield Town
Trevor Chalobah is suspended and Danny Simpson, Fraizer Campbell (both hip) and Jaden Brown (ankle) are doubts.

Leeds United
Kalvin Phillips serves a one-match ban and Jamie Shackleton (muscle strain) and Adam Forshaw (hip) are out.

Match preview

Leeds have won their last five games - their second-best winning sequence under Marcelo Bielsa - but they may struggle to justify odds-on favouritism against Huddersfield at the John Smith's Stadium.

When playing at full throttle, Leeds are a difficult side to live with but they rely on a core group of players and will not be at full-strength this weekend because influential holding midfielder Kalvin Phillips is serving a one-match ban.

Phillips often sets the tone for Leeds's performances with his power and precision at the base of the midfield and is arguably the player they can least afford to lose for an extended period.

His importance to Leeds was recognised by chairman Andrea Radrizzani, who resisted summer interest from Aston Villa and tied the player down to a new five-year-contract.

And the task of replacing him this weekend is complicated by the absence of three injured midfielders – Jamie Shackleton, Adam Forshaw and Tyler Roberts.

Bielsa has decided to get creative and confirmed that he will deploy on-loan Brighton central defender Ben White further forward.

But the reshuffle leaves Leeds weaker in midfield and at the back, because White's partnership with Liam Cooper has been a key part of their success.

Swiss defender Gaetano Berardi is set to step in but is prone to making mistakes and had been sent off five times in the last two-and-a-half seasons.

Huddersfield may look to test out the rejigged Leeds defence by getting the ball forward a little earlier but their main challenge is to mentally recover from last Saturday's dismal 5-2 loss at Bristol City.

Terriers' manager Danny Cowley was furious with the performance at Ashton Gate and publicly questioned the character of his players.

But sub-par performances have been a rarity since he was appointed in September and a positive reaction is likely.

Cowley must find a better means of coping without key midfielder Trevor Chalobah, who continues his three-match ban.

However, Huddersfield have put in a series of strong performances on home soil and look overpriced to avoid defeat.

Key stat

Huddersfield are unbeaten in their last six home matches.

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