This is a Round 1 EFL Cup tie between Preston North End and Huddersfield Town, and CheckLive does not have a favourite. With no clear edge either way, it is a genuinely open contest, and a draw inside 90 minutes would be no surprise.
Preston come into this off five straight pre-season friendly defeats, most recently 2-3 to Sheffield Wednesday, and earlier losses to Stockport County, Bradford City, Marine AFC and Cambridge United. Huddersfield's friendlies were more mixed: they beat Middlesbrough and Oldham Athletic 3-1, lost to Fleetwood Town and Sheffield United, and drew 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers.
The head-to-head favours Preston, who have won five of the eight previous meetings, with one draw and two Huddersfield wins. The last time they met, in April 2024, Preston won 4-1 in the Championship. With both sides still building form and no favourite, the key thing to watch is whether either team can turn a close, scrappy tie into a decisive moment.
