Huddersfield Town vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Kick-off: December 9, 15:00 Venue: John Smith’s Stadium
Huddersfield Town aren’t in the best of form as they head into a group of fixtures which could define their season. David Wagner’s side have lost four games in a row since their victory at home to West Bromwich Albion at the start of November, but this home game against a familiar foe presents a chance to turn this around.
The two sides have met on numerous occasions during the past 10 years as they rose up the divisions together. Huddersfield were promoted from League One a year later than Brighton, in 2012, while both made the step up from the Championship this year.
The previous fixture between the two sides took place in last season’s Championship, and saw the Terriers claim a 3-1 victory on home soil. Wagner will be looking to use that game as a springboard, but admits the Premier League arena changes their approach somewhat.
“We will take some positives out of that game but it’s a new challenge on Saturday,” said the German, who is determined to improve his side’s form.
“We will try everything we can to turnaround this run – it's a massive game but we are very happy to be playing at home in the John Smith's Stadium. It will be full of energy from the stands and we will take this energy to try to come to our best on Saturday.”
Huddersfield have only lost twice at home this season, and scalps taken in West Yorkshire include the aforementioned West Brom, Newcastle United, and Manchester United.
Brighton, meanwhile, are coming off the back of a heavy defeat at the hands of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, and are without a win in four.
They will also be looking to take advantage of this game which they’ll see as a winnable fixture against a fellow newly promoted side.
"I hope we’ve evolved to be better than the last time we went there,” said Brighton manager Chris Hughton.
“One area I’ve been delighted with so far this season is our away performances – and they bring about good results, which we’ve managed to achieve so far this season.”
Team news
The visitors have a clean bill of health with only long-term absentee Steve Sidwell remaining on the sidelines.
Huddersfield’s Martin Cranie and Michael Hefele may be back in contention, but Rajiv van La Parra, Philip Billing, and Jon Gorenc Stankovic remain sidelined.
Expected lineups:
Huddersfield: Lossl; Smith, Schindler, Zanka, Malone; Williams, Mooy; Quaner, Ince, Kachunga; Depoitre.
Brighton: Ryan; Bruno, Dunk, Duffy, Bong; Knockaert, Stephens, Propper, Izquierdo; Gross, Murray.
Did you know?
Brighton’s Chelsea loanee Izzy Brown was part of Huddersfield’s promotion push at the end of the 2016/17 season, joining the club in January after impressing on loan at Championship strugglers Rotherham, who were eventually relegated.
Wagner wanted the attacker to remain at the club for their long-awaited return to top flight football, but an agreement couldn’t be reached with Chelsea and the player joined Brighton on loan instead.
Prediction
The sides are currently level on 15 points in the Premier League table, and the dynamic of the game will depend on whether they see this as a must-win fixture, or one they daren’t lose.
Huddersfield attacked Everton from the outset in their previous game, so are likely to set up similarly in this home fixture as the onus will be on them to force the issue and play for the win.
Huddersfield 1 Brighton 0
