Huddersfield begin their Premier League campaign on the road when they travel to Crystal Palace this weekend. They made the Premier League thanks to a great playoff victory last season and will be desperately looking to survive this season. They are one of the favourites for relegation, but won’t go down without a fight. Crystal Palace may join them in the relegation battle this season as they have failed to make enough changes to the squad from last season which came 14th.
This will be an exciting day for Huddersfield fans and I am sure they will travel in numbers to back their team. This may be the opening day of the season, but every point counts and with these two likely to be battling against relegation it is an important game for both.
Crystal Palace Form
Crystal Palace finished in 14th last season, which doesn’t sound too bad but they were just one point ahead of Watford who came 17th, just one place above relegation. The bottom of the Premier League was very tight last season and I expect the same this season, meaning every point will be vital. With few arrivals coming in, new manager Frank De Boer will have to make do with the squad from last season, which is not ideal for him and could lead him to struggle in his first season with the club.
Crystal Palace have played five pre-season games this summer, winning two, drawing two and losing one. Those game have helped De Boer settle in, but his team haven’t beaten anyone of real class during pre-season, so it is hard to gauge just how well they have done.
Huddersfield Form
Huddersfield made it to the Premier League thanks to the playoffs last season and they are sure to be excited for their Premier League campaign. They played some very good, attacking football last season to be promoted and looking at their signings, they are set to do the same again this season. They will need to learn how to battle and protect a result in the Premier League, but the one positive for them is that they do look to have goals in the team.
Huddersfield have been busy in pre-season, playing eight games during their campaign, winning four games, drawing two and losing two. They have scored 14 goals in those eight games, backing up the theory that they have enough goals in their team to survive, if they can defend properly. They haven’t won any of their last three pre-season games which isn’t ideal, but they will still be full of excitement heading into their opening pre-season game.
Team News
With few new arrivals, Crystal Palace have got the same squad to play as last season. One new arrival who will make an impact is Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who signed on loan for the season from Chelsea. Frank De Boer is known for playing attractive football, something Crystal Palace didn’t have last season so if will be interesting to see how he uses the squad he has in the opening weeks.
Huddersfield have not lost any of their first team squad from last season, but they have added to it They have brought in a few more attacking options, including Tom Ince from Derby who I am excited to see in the Premier League. Steve Mounie has been signed from Montpellier and he will be expected to chip in with a few goals this season, he is their biggest signing to date. Everyone will have the chance to impress in the first few weeks, before Huddersfield find their best eleven and settle down to life in the Premier League.
Top Betting Tips
Although this is the opening day, this game could turn out to be very important towards the end of the season as I think we will see both of these involved in the relegation scrap. With minimal new signings at Crystal Palace, despite a new manager coming in, I do worry a little for them and they could be found out this season.
Huddersfield are going to be full of excitement and confidence heading into their first few games and I think that will help them pick up some points. That can start in this game, where I believe Huddersfield can battle for a draw and take a point from their opening game.
I am going to back the draw in this game, which is available at 13/5 with Ladbrokes and I am also going to back the score 2-2, which I think is value at 18/1 with Ladbrokes and William Hill.