Bookies view: Hosts are favourites in big derby

Nov 14 2008 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HUDDERSFIELD seem to be in no rush to find a new manager but supporters could be forgiven for wanting a ship-steadying appointment sooner rather than later given the defensive problems which culminated in League II team Port Vale scoring three times in the last 11 minutes to complete a stunning FA Cup comeback.

A tricky derby clash against high-flying Leeds isn’t the ideal match in which to try and bounce back from such a morale-sapping result and few punters will be surprised to learn that the hosts are considered to be strong favourites at 8/13 with Coral, while the Terriers are as high as 5/1 (Betdaq) to stun the Whites by landing a maximum haul.

A point (5/2, Canbet) would undoubtedly be considered a good return for Town, who are 7/1 with Sportingbet to hold Leeds to a 1-1 draw and 5/1, courtesy of Victor Chandler, to ensure the contest is level at both the interval and final whistle.

As considerable outsiders, Huddersfield are handed a mythical goal start in the handicaps at odds of 11/8 with Betfred; a bet that caters for less confident factions of the travelling support, and the same fans might also fancy Partybets’ 8/15 for the Terriers just to get on the scoresheet at Elland Road.