News

Huddersfield to Sneak a Draw from Struggling Bournemouth

If you think about Bournemouth and the start they have made to the Premier League season, then overall you would say it has been a good one. If you think about Huddersfield and the same you would likely say the opposite. However, as both teams head into a crucial month of games, they are beginning to draw closer together, Huddersfield are improving and Bournemouth are dropping down the table.

Both teams come here on the back of defeats at the weekend, although Bournemouth will be feeling a lot better about their defeat. They lost 3-1 away at Manchester City, a game that they went into as huge underdogs and with little chance of causing an upset. Huddersfield played a big game at home to Brighton, one they would have seen as a possible three points. They took an early lead in the game, but a sending off turned the game on its head, and eventually with an extra man on the field, Brighton were able to score twice to win the game 2-1.

League Positions so Far

Bournemouth are still up in 9th position, which they will be happy with although they do come into this game on the back of four defeats in a row. That has seen them drop down and lose touch with those at the top and while that was always expected to happen at some point, it is disappointing to see them fall so quickly after a good start. There are a lot of games in December, and many points to be had. If Bournemouth can turn things around there is no reason to think they won’t be able to remain in the top half of the table as we go into 2019. However, if they continue to struggle a little then that could spell further trouble for them. They are just five points ahead of 13th placed West Ham, and the teams below them are capable of winning games and overtaking The Cherries.

Huddersfield are outside of the relegation zone by one point, and if they are honest that is all they are aiming for this season. They don’t really have the financial muscle to thrive in the Premier League, and this is their second season where all they want to do is survive. If they stayed up on the final day of the season with one goal better on the goal difference record that would be seen as a successful season for The Terriers. Things are very tight at the bottom of the table, with seven teams separated by just four points, and Huddersfield are right in the middle of that going into the midweek games. They have lost just one of their last four games recently, and that has helped them, if they can go on a run where they lose one out of their next four, it is highly likely they will be able to climb the table a little more, and edge even further away from safety.

It is safe to say that the next few weeks are vitally important for many Premier League clubs, and these two are two teams who certainly need to show something and pick up some points.

How Many Points are Required for Premier League Survival?

This is something that a lot of Premier League managers are going to be looking at over the next few weeks and while they will simply want to pick up as many points as possible, they will all have a figure in mind they want to aim for. In the past we have spoken about the magical 40 points, but this season I think you will be able to survive with much lower.

Huddersfield currently have 10 points from 14 games and that is enough to keep them safe at this stage. If you double that to 20 points from 28 games, that leaves them with 20 points and ten games to go. Those final 10 games we often see clubs finding ways to win from out of the blue, picking up additional points. Let’s factor that in here and say that teams will be able to pick up 12 points from their last 10 games as they fight for survival. That would leave Huddersfield with around 32 points, and I think that would be enough to keep them in the Premier League.

Actually aiming for 32 points is a dangerous game, so I think the magical number that a lot of managers will be thinking about this season is 35. That will almost certainly keep a team in the Premier League this season, even though it is well below the figure of 40 that we often talk about.

With so many poor teams towards the bottom of the Premier League it would be no surprise to see 30 good enough for survival this season. Things look wide open at the bottom, and usually by now we have a couple of teams who look as though they are going to struggle but to be honest, we have seven teams this year. That doesn’t include teams like West Ham, Wolves and Brighton who have all shown that they could fall into trouble over the coming weeks.

Bournemouth vs Huddersfield Betting Tips

This is a vitally important game for both teams here, and although they have different reasons for their need, both would love to take home the three points from this one. When you compare the two teams on paper, Bournemouth are by far the better team. They have a bit of quality about them that gives them enough to steer clear of any trouble they may get into. However, when you look at the Huddersfield line up, you can just tell they are going to be in the relegation dog fight.

Having said that, their performances in recent weeks have pulled them a lot closer together. Bournemouth come here having lost their last four so confidence in the camp will not be as high as it was. Huddersfield have found a way to be harder to beat, and they have lost just one of their last four, picking up two wins and a draw in that period.

While they may not play the most attractive football in the league, Huddersfield are becoming more effective and that is enough for them to bag a valuable point here down at Dean Court to take back home with them. Bournemouth are not in the best shape right now, and I can see them struggling to break this Huddersfield team down on Tuesday night.

It may not be the best game of football to watch, but I am backing the draw here, I think Huddersfield have enough to keep Bournemouth out and take a point home.