Terriers or Royals

The last domestic final of 2016-17 season is upon us as Huddersfield and Reading contest the 2016-17 Championship play off final.

After a long and arduous journey, both teams have promotion to the Premier League in sight. All that stands between them and the promised land alongside £200m is Wembley.

Are you a Terrier or Royal?

 

Team News

Huddersfield are set to name the same team that knocked out Sheffield Wednesday in the play off semi finals.

Reading could make some changes with Jordan Obita coming in, having missed the semi final second leg with an ankle injury.

Gareth McCleary was on the bench for that game and so too will be pushing for a starting spot.

 

Tight to the death

This showpiece event certainly looks like it’s going to be tight right till the death.

Since David Wagner took charge of the Terriers, these sides have met five sides with both teams gaining two wins and a draw apiece from five meetings.

Play offs are altogether a different kettle of fish to regular season battles meaning that shocks are abound.

The team that finished third at end of the regular season have gone up more than the fifth placed side.

Reading have featured in five play offs and failed to gain promotion from each opportunity.

Huddersfield however have featured in four EFL play offs and won on three occasions.

The Terriers’ last two play off final appearances both ended in glory via penalty shootouts so buckle up for a long match under the sun.

 

Prediction

Reading have to be favourites under an experienced trophy man in Jaap Stam but I can’t see them reversing their bad play off luck here.

Huddersfield might of conceded more than they have scored this season but haven’t wilted in the proper big matches all season.

Nakhi Wells will definitely be one to watch after his Wembley experiences of 2012-13 with Bradford.

That season, he featured in the 5-0 battering by Swansea before helping the Bantams to win the League Two play off final three months later.

This time around, I expect him to be a key player as the Terriers’ second top scorer after Elias Kachunga.

Odds are firmly in Huddersfield’s favour and I think they will only just achieve promotion to the top flight for the first time in 45 years here.

A victory in 90 minutes will surprise me but can see them getting it done in extra time.

Prediction: Huddersfield 1-0 Reading AET

Result: Huddersfield 0-0 Reading ( Huddersfield wins 4-3 on penalties)

Huddersfield are promoted to Premier League!!!!