Huddersfield v Hull: Tigers to edge testy Yorkshire derby

30Mar 2013

England - The Championship

Andy Tongue expects Steve Bruce's promotion chasers to grab three vital points by the narrowest of margins

Saturday March 30, 17:20 GMT

Live on Sky Sports Two

Another televised Championship game with plenty at stake for both sides and visiting fans being bussed in to avoid any crowd trouble but second-placed Hull should be able to take advantage of the home side's inconsistency and keep their noses in front in the battle for the second automatic promotion spot.

Huddersfield

A priceless victory over Leeds in their last outing has bought some vital breathing space for the Terriers at the foot of the table but with five points between them and that pivotal 22nd spot, Mark Robins knows they need at least one more win and probably two before he can start planning for next season. His side have been unable to string two decent results together lately, following impressive wins over Burnley and Middlesbrough with defeats at the hand of Brighton and Charlton. The return of Jermaine Beckford from a hamstring injury does give them more of a cutting edge in attack, alongside James Vaughan, who scored the winner at Elland Road.

Hull

Bruce's men have hardly been a model of consistency either (is there such a thing in this league?), interspersing three losses with three wins in their last six, but those defeats were at the hands of high-flying Crystal Palace and the two hottest sides on current form - Bolton and Nottingham Forest. Against sides from the lower half of the table they have been plenty solid enough in 2013, disposing of the likes of Charlton, Burnley, Derby, Millwall and Blackburn with relative ease. Their away form is bettered only by Palace's and an ability to grind out results at places like The John Smith's Stadium is the reason they are currently second (though Palace or Watford may have displaced them by the time this game kicks off).

Match Odds

The visitors are available to back at 2.32 and that's big enough for me to back them outright.

Correct Score

Hull's success against sides from the lower half of the table is based around keeping it very tight in defence and pouncing when the opportunity presents itself-as evidenced by 1-0 wins over Burnley, Charlton and Millwall so I'll also back them to win by a single goal here.

Recommended Bets

Back Hull to win at 2.32

Back Hull to win 1-0 at 7.4