Preview; Newcastle United vs Huddersfield Town; Kick Off; March 31, 15:00; Venue; St James’ Park’ Referee; Martin Atkinson
The last time Huddersfield Town made the 120-mile journey Northwards to Newcastle was when David Wagner’s side really announced their intentions. It was August 2016, the Magpies’ first game at St James’ Park in the Championship; while Rafa Benitez’s men were still licking their wounds after an opening day defeat at Fulham, they were fully expected to claim three points against a side that had finished 19th the previous campaign, having spent made big plans for an instant Premier League return. Things didn’t go to plan, as Wagner’s high pressing, counter attacking approach paid off for the Terriers, who grabbed a mightily impressive 2-1 victory.
From that moment on, the top-flight dream was very much alive in West Yorkshire and they never really fell away, always maintaining a lingering presence behind Newcastle and Brighton at the top of the table. Almost 20 months later, though, they return to Tyneside on Saturday with a very different level of confidence, and again Benitez is fully expected to mastermind a crucial victory.
Both of these sides have endured lows and enjoyed highs this season, Huddersfield’s first ever in the Premier League, and although their may be just one point between them in the table, their feelings coming into this game contrast immensely. Newcastle took a giant leap towards safety with a 3-0 win over Southampton three weeks ago, which ended Mauricio Pellegrino’s reign at St Mary’s, while Huddersfield slipped to a home defeat to Crystal Palace without having a shot on target for 80 minutes, just a week after they failed to beat ten-man Swansea despite attempting 30. All of the sides mentioned are currently embroiled in the battle for top-flight survival, but the momentum is certainly with Newcastle, and not with their visitors this weekend.
If Newcastle can get three points, not only will that take their total to 35 and potentially eight clear of the bottom three, but it will also mean a third consecutive win at home after Manchester United and, most recently, Southampton. Confidence is flowing through the team right now, with just three defeats to their name in 2018 and one in their last ten games, coming against Liverpool at Anfield.
Benitez’s pragmatic approach and ability to coach his team through games has played a huge part in the upturn of form since Christmas, which followed a horrendous run of just one point in 27, but the January arrivals of goalkeeper Martin Dubravka and, particularly, Chelsea loanee Kenedy, have provided the much needed spark to the season; the other winter signing, Islam Slimani, returned from a thigh problem for Algeria in midweek, and could finally make his Newcastle debut.
Kenedy has really set the tone for Newcastle’s performances in most of the games since he joined, most notably against the Saints earlier this month when he scored a brace, which included a goal in just 64 seconds. The flair and freedom with which he plays is infectious and has given the team a new dimension; he has already hinted he could be interested in staying beyond the end of the season and a reported £15million price tag should not be baulked at, especially if, as has been suggested this week, Mike Ashley kickstarts his quest to sell the club once Premier League survival is confirmed.
This game, like almost every other this term, is set to be a nervy, anxious affair, and a start like the last one is paramount to a pleasant afternoon for the home supporters. Huddersfield have a poor record away from home and in front of goal generally, but they have shown that, when everything clicks, they can be quite emphatic on their travels, just as they were on the second day of last season. Two of their three away league wins this season were won by a three-goal margin, and with the pace of Steve Mounie and Rajiv Van La Parra going forward, they will most certainly pose a threat. Aaron Mooy, their most creative and effective player, and the man who scored the only goal when these sides met at the John Smith’s Stadium in August, returned to training this week and could feature.
Team News
As mentioned already, Newcastle could welcome Islam Slimani into the squad for the first time after a persistent thigh strain, but Benitez has said he must prove himself so is unlikely to start.
The only injury doubt for the hosts is winger Matt Ritchie, who withdrew from the Scotland squad early, but it is not thought to be too serious and he could feature on Saturday.
Huddersfield will be keen to get Australian international Mooy back in the fold as soon as possible, while powerful midfielder Philip Billing could also be fit enough after his return.
Expected lineups
Newcastle: Dubravka, Dummett, Lejeune, Lascelles, Yedlin, Shelvey, Diame, Kenedy, Ritchie, Perez, Gayle
Huddersfield: Lössl, Hadergjonaj, Jorgensen, Schindler, Löwe, Hogg, Mooy, Van La Parra, Pritchard, Ince, Mounie
Did you know?
Huddersfield have won just once at St James’ Park since 1953, in that 2-1 win last season.
Prediction
Newcastle cannot afford to come into this game with over confidence and thinking the job is already done, because this game is yet to be won and survival is yet to be achieved. But Benitez will have them focussed on the job in hand and nothing else.
Huddersfield, with one win in five, are certainly there for the taking and, as cannot be stressed enough, three points would go along way for Newcastle. They should get them in this one.
Score Prediction: Newcastle United 2-0 Huddersfield Town
