2019-20 Sky Bet Championship: Week 13 – Wednesday

Huddersfield Town welcome Middlesbrough to the John Smith Stadium in a crunch Championship clash at the foot of the table. 

Victory for Huddersfield will see them leapfrog Middlesbrough who will replace them in the relegation zone, whereas Boro could climb to 20th with a win and put themselves four points clear of the drop.

 

Team news

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Huddersfield have no fresh injury concerns after Saturday’s draw at Blackburn and manager, Danny Cowley could have a full squad at his disposal. 

Terence Kongolo (calf), Herbert Bockhorn (hamstring) and Colin Quaner (hip) were all absent at the weekend but could feature on the team sheet here.

Middlesbrough are still without captain, George Friend as he recovers from knee surgery. 

Hayden Coulson is also absent with an on-going knee injury alongside Rudy Gestede (hamstring). 

 

Form

Huddersfield are unbeaten in their last four games with two wins and draws apiece and have scored in four of their six home league games this season. 

Middlesbrough meanwhile are winless in not only their last five outings but also in five away games this season, although they have netted in three of those games. 

 

Stat Attack

• Huddersfield have won just one of their last 14 meetings with Middlesbrough in all competitions (W1, D2, L11). 
• Middlesbrough have won their last three meetings without conceding, although Huddersfield have just one goal from the last four clashes to Boro’s nine. 
• Only one of Middlesbrough’s 11 league goals has come from a defender this season, via Daniel Ayala in their last away game at Birmingham City a fortnight ago. 
• Huddersfield have nine points after 12 games this season in comparison to the seven points collected in 12 Premier League matches last season. 
• Middlesbrough last failed to win any of their first six away games back in the 2010-11 season, in which they then went on to finish 12th. 

 

Prediction

Neither team are playing spectacular football at present which is surely a concern for both clubs, although there is a big in difference in that Huddersfield are growing in confidence under Cowley whereas Boro are just lacklustre under Jonathan Woodgate. 

It’s therefore might be easy to call this a draw but the Teessiders can take heart from their strong record against Huddersfield, although I sadly can’t see it doing much for them on the pitch given their defensive issues. 

Prediction: Huddersfield Town 2-1 Middlesbrough

Result: Huddersfield Town 0-0 Middlesbrough