Having dismissed David Wagner as manager earlier this week, Huddersfield Town welcome Manchester City to John Smith Stadium in the opening Super Sunday clash.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesHuddersfield have no fresh injury concerns to report ahead of this game as captain, Tommy Smith push for a start after being an unused sub last weekend following his return from a hamstring injury.
Aaron Mooy (knee) and Abdelhamid Sabiri (shoulder) are close to a first-team return but won’t be risked here.
Danny Williams meanwhile is on course for a mid March return from a serious knee injury.
Manchester City could have Belgian defender, Vincent Kompany available but will fitness test after recovering from a muscular injury.
Benjamin Mendy is back training with the squad after a lengthy knee injury but isn’t fit enough, so is set to make his return next weekend in FA Cup against Burnley.
Claudio Bravo is City’s only long-term absentee with a rupture of his Achilles tendon.
Form
Huddersfield ended a nine match losing run across all competitions last time out, after being held to a goalless draw at Cardiff.
The Terriers however have scored in five of their last six home games but failed to take any points from their last four, with last point being a 1-1 draw with West Ham in early November.
Manchester City are on a five match unbeaten run across all competitions, scoring 19 goals in their last three matches without reply.
Those last three matches were all at home, in which Gabriel Jesus scored seven goals whilst Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez managed to collect a brace each despite their goals coming in the Cups.
Stat Attack
- Huddersfield have avoided defeat in two of last five meetings across all competitions (D2, L3).
- Two of last four league meetings at John Smith Stadium have finished 1-1.
- Only three of 39 meetings at Huddersfield has seen the winning side win by a three goal or bigger margin, with the Terriers winning two of those games which came in League compared to Man City whose biggest away win was 3-0 in 1987-88 FA Cup.
- Manchester City have produced the most goals and passes in Premier League this season.
- Out of all first choice goalkeepers in Premier League this season, Ederson has made 38 saves which is a league low.
Prediction
I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a strong reaction from Huddersfield here now Wagner has left.
Man City however are finding their best goal scoring form and I can see them winning comfortably here.
Prediction: Huddersfield Town 0-2 Manchester City
Jake predicts: Huddersfield Town 0-2 Manchester City
Result: Huddersfield Town 0-3 Manchester City