Huddersfield Town welcome Derby County to John Smith Stadium in a crunch rearranged Sky Bet Championship clash.
At least one point would see Huddersfield climb above Middlesbrough and West Brom into fifth, whereas Derby will stay second-bottom even with a win but Wayne Rooney’s Rams can cut their deficit to safety down to four points.
Team News
Carel Eiting could make his first appearance for Huddersfield after completing a permanent move back to the Terriers following his departure from KRC Genk, having previously spent last season on loan at the West Yorkshire club.
Jamal Blackman and Tino Anjorin could also both be in contention for the starting line-up after also joining Huddersfield on Monday.
Levi Colwill, Alex Vallejo (both knee), Rolando Aarons (leg) and Ryan Schofield (shoulder) remain absent.
Derby will have Luke Plange available for selection after the 19 year-old striker was allowed to return on loan, following his permanent transfer to Crystal Palace on Monday.
Jack Stretton (unspecified) could return if he is declared match fit but Ravel Morrison is absent as he remains on international duty with Jamaica.
Kamil Jozwiak (ankle) and Krystian Bielik (fitness) are also doubts.
Stat Attack
- Huddersfield have won just one of their last six meetings against Derby (W1, D3, L2).
- Derby have avoided defeat in four of their last six visits to Huddersfield (W2, D2, L2).
- Only one of the last four draws in this fixture took place at Huddersfield, in which Huddersfield and Derby fought to a 4-4 draw in April 2015.
- Huddersfield have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five home league matches since a 1-0 win over West Brom in late November 2021.
- Only one of Luke Plange’s three goals for Derby this season have been scored away from Pride Park.
Prediction
Although now unbeaten in ten matches in all competitions, Huddersfield certainly were made to scrap hard in a 1-1 draw against Stoke at home on Friday, where they dominated much of the game until the Potters finished on top with the Terriers hanging on in a game marred by poor refereeing.
Derby also come into this game off the back of a scrap following their comeback 2-2 draw against Birmingham on Sunday, yet defending continues to be an issue because their marking was poor for both of Birmingham’s goals before clinically fighting back in the final minutes.
Both teams however need the points at opposite ends of the table and Derby have the stronger record in recent meetings, which should favour them confidence wise but Huddersfield have a circa 40 hour fitness advantage so this should be a feisty clash.
Prediction: Huddersfield 1-1 Derby
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