Lincoln vs Huddersfield Prediction

Alright, gather round. New Year's Day football, a bit of a hangover, and a proper top-of-the-table clash in League One. Lincoln, sitting pretty in second, host a Huddersfield side who are banging in the goals for fun. Let's have a proper look at this.

Lincoln are the form side at home, no two ways about it. An 80% win rate in their last five at Sincil Bank is the stuff of promotion contenders. Their last home game? Only a 2-1 win over league leaders Cardiff. That's a proper statement win, beating the top dogs. They're solid, scoring 1.6 and conceding just 1.0 per game at their place. Their recent results show they can mix it with the best, but also that they're rarely involved in a dull 0-0.

Now, Huddersfield. Seventh in the table but don't let that fool you. They've been finding the net with alarming regularity lately – 21 goals in their last ten games is a serious return. They smashed Port Vale 5-0 last time out and put three past Rotherham before that. They score two a game on their travels. The catch? They also concede over one a game away from home. They're the classic 'we'll score one more than you' outfit at the moment.

Here's the spicy bit. These two met just a month ago in the EFL Trophy, and Huddersfield walked away with a 2-0 win. That'll be fresh in the memory for the Lincoln lads, and you can bet they'll be itching to set the record straight in the league, where they've had the better of things historically.

So, what's the play? Both teams are in scoring form. Lincoln's last five have seen three games go over 2.5 goals. Huddersfield's last five? Also three over 2.5. Lincoln's defence is decent, but Huddersfield's attack is firing. Huddersfield's defence can be got at, and Lincoln know how to score at home. The maths says the goal expectancy is knocking on the door of three. This has all the makings of an open, entertaining game where both teams have a go.

Key Points:

Lincoln are 2nd, with a formidable 80% home win rate in their last five.

Huddersfield are 7th but are the division's form attackers, averaging over 2 goals a game recently.

The last meeting was a 2-0 Huddersfield win in the EFL Trophy just four weeks ago.

Both teams have a high 'Both Teams to Score' rate (Lincoln 60%, Huddersfield 70%).

• The goal expectancy data points towards a match with plenty of chances.

The Simple Verdict:

This isn't a game for backing a nervy 1-0. With both teams in good attacking nick and a point to prove, I fancy the net to bulge a few times. The value, for me, lies in the goals market. The odds for over 2.5 goals are sitting at a very backable 2.00. Given the firepower on show and the defensive records, I think the chances of three or more goals are better than even money. Let's hope the New Year starts with a bang.

My Tip: OVER 2.5 GOALS