EFL Championship Final: Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest
One Club Will Earn Promotion to the Premier League
High Stakes as Huddersfield Meet Nottingham Forest in Playoff Final
The richest match in soccer, the Championship Playoff Final, will be contested by Huddersfield and Nottingham Forest at London’s famous Wembley Stadium on Sunday. The winner gains promotion to the Premier League and all of the money that comes along with it. The Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest odds currently favor Forest at a 90-minute price of +115 and -160 to return to the Premier League.
Championship Playoff Final – Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest Game Info:
- Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England, U.K.
- Date & Time: Sunday May 29th, 11:30 a.m. ET
- TV: ESPN+
Head-to-Head
Last Five Meetings:
- Mar 2022: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Huddersfield
- Dec 2021: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Huddersfield
- Sep 2021: Huddersfield 0-2 Nottingham Forest
- Apr 2021: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Huddersfield
- Sep 2020: Huddersfield 1-0 Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest defeated Huddersfield 2-1 in the fifth round of the FA Cup back in April. Forest also knocked out Arsenal and Leicester City en route to an impressive run to the quarterfinals. They were eventually knocked out by eventual FA Cup and EFL Cup final winners Liverpool.
Huddersfield have won three of the last five meetings but Steve Cooper’s Forest won two of the three this season. Two or fewer goals have been scored in four of the last five Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest meetings.
Huddersfield Have Been Here Before
- Form (All Competitions): W,D,W,W,W
- Injuries and Suspensions: D Matty Pearson (Knee)
Huddersfield last played in the Premier League for two seasons from 2017-2019 and struggled last year, finishing in 20th place. The Terriers drastically improved this season and won their last four matches to finish third in the Championship.
In the Playoff Semifinal, Carlos Corberan’s Huddersfield drew with a tough Luton Town side in the first leg. It was a great atmosphere at home in the second leg and substitute striker Jordan Rhodes scored the winner in the 82nd minute. Huddersfield will now be hoping for another win at Wembley, like the one they scored in 2017 over Reading to reach the Premier League.
The Terriers are led by Danny Ward, who scored 14 goals in the Championship this season. Other key players include winger Sorba Thomas, left back Harry Toffolo, midfielders Lewis O’Brien, and Jonathan Hogg.
Forest Advance in Dramatic Fashion
- Form (All Competitions): L*,W,D,L,W
- Injuries and Suspensions: D Max Lowe (Groin), F Lewis Grabban (Hamstring)
This match will be a nice change of pace from the Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid the day before. Nottingham Forest, however, has more in common with both of those teams than meets the eye. Forest is one of a select few clubs to have won the Champions League and they did it under Brian Clough in 1979 and 1980.
Nottingham Forest have played in the second tier since 1999 and this is an incredible opportunity for them to return to the Premier League. Forest finished 17th last year and looked to be headed for more of the same early on this season, however, they’ve been excellent since Steve Cooper replaced Chris Hughton midseason and shot up to fourth place.
Right-back Djed Spence has also drawn interest from Premier League teams with his impressive performances. Young Welsh forward Brennan Johnson also hit the double-digit goals and assists mark in the Championship and he scored in both semifinal legs vs Sheffield United.
After winning the first leg 2-1 on the road, Forest dropped the second leg 2-1 and the fixture went into extra time and penalties. Keeper Brice Samba made two saves and the fans stormed the pitch as NFFC advanced to the Championship Playoff Final. The Huddersfield vs Nottingham Forest odds list Forest as -½-goal favorites at +115 for Sunday’s match.
*2-1 loss to Sheffield United in Playoff Semifinal second leg which finished 3-3 on aggregate. Nottingham Forest won 3-2 on penalties.
What to Watch For
A Wembley match is always special and there’s so much at stake here. Long suffering Nottingham Forest fans may have their misery ended here if Forest is able to return to the top flight for the first time in 23 years. Meanwhile, underappreciated Huddersfield could be in for their third Premier League Season in the last six years.
The EFL Championship odds have Huddersfield at +270 and +130 to be promoted, while a 90-minute draw is priced at +220. Again, Nottingham Forest sit at +115 to win in normal time and -160 to be promoted.
Forest’s good performances vs Premier League clubs this season are clearly contributing to their status as favorites. They also finished with a +33 goal difference compared to Huddersfield’s +17 despite finishing below the Terriers in the table. Forest finished with the third-most goals in the Championship this season and ‘over two goals’ currently sits at -145.
For one side, this match will provide jubilation and a chance at competing in soccer’s most prestigious league. For the other, it’ll be heartbreak and a wasted opportunity. For the stakes alone, this is a must-see match but these are two teams with exciting players as well.
Follow us on Twitter
