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Huddersfield Town will entertain second-placed Leeds United at the John Smith's Stadium in the EFL Championship on Saturday.
The hosts registered just their eighth win of the league campaign last week, as Danny Ward's second-half brace helped them to a 2-1 comeback away win over Watford last week.
The visitors recorded their ninth consecutive win in the Championship last week, as late goals from Connor Roberts and Patrick Bamford helped them defeat league leaders Leicester City with a 3-1 home win in a top-of-the-table clash.
Their unbeaten run in 2024 came to an end on Wednesday, suffering a 3-2 away loss to Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round. Mateo Joseph bagged a brace, with Jaidon Anthony providing the assist for both goals. Conor Gallagher scored a 90th-minute winner for Chelsea against Leeds, who rested their key players in that match.
Huddersfield Town vs Leeds United Prediction
The Terriers have suffered just one loss at home in 2024, recording two wins, and will look to build on that form. They have suffered three consecutive losses against the visitors, scoring just once while conceding eight times, and might struggle here. At home, they have just one win in their last four games in this fixture, suffering three losses.
Danny Ward bagged a match-winning brace last week, coming on as a second-half substitute, and has made a good case for his return to the starting XI. Tom Edwards bagged his first assist of the season as a substitute and might get the nod to start here.
The Whites are on a nine-game winning streak in the Championship, keeping seven clean sheets, and will look to continue that form. They have won their four away games in the league in 2024 while keeping clean sheets, and they are strong favorites.
Daniel Farke started Crysencio Summerville and Patrick Bamford on the bench against Chelsea, while in-form striker Georginio Rutter was absent with a hip injury. Rutter is back in training and should return to the starting XI alongside Summerville.
Considering the current form of the two teams and the visitors' dominance in recent meetings in this fixture, Leeds are expected to eke out a narrow win.
André Breitenreiter takes charge for his first home game at the John Smith's Stadium as we face Leeds United in our upcoming West Yorkshire derby.
Winning their last three fixtures against Town, it was the Terriers who had left victorious in the previous three meetings before the 2019/20 season. Having met 44 times historically across all competitions, Town have recorded 32 wins ahead of Leeds' 30, with the two sides drawing 19 times overall.
Taking charge for not only his first home game, but his first West Yorkshire derby, Head Coach André Breitenreiter will be looking to build on last Saturday's win at Vicarage Road.
THE OPPOSITION
Following relegation from the Premier League last season, a 19th placed finish saw Leeds' three year stint in the top flight come to an end. Returning to the Sky Bet Championship under Daniel Farke, his side have enjoyed a successful campaign in the second division thus far.
Currently sitting in second position, Leeds are just six points behind leaders Leicester City as they look to make an immediate return to the top flight. Undefeated at home this season, and boasting a current unbeaten run of nine games, they have only dropped a total of 24 points throughout the entirety of their current campaign.
THEIR MANAGER
Perhaps best known for his time at Norwich City, 47-year-old Farke spent four years with the club following his departure from Borussia Dortmund II. Being crowned winner of the Sky Bet Championship on two occasions during his stint in Norfolk, the German coach was unable to maintain his side's Premier League status during both their seasons in the top flight.
Following a brief spell with Russian side Krasnodar in 2022, before a return to German football with Borussia Monchengladbach last year, Farke joined Leeds United last summer on a four-year contract.
Unbeaten in their last nine games, Farke continues to thrive in West Yorkshire, having only lost six games so far this campaign.
LAST TIME OUT
Winning eight games on the trot before Friday evening, Leeds continued their unbeaten run against top-of-the-table Leicester City - coming from behind to beat the Foxes 3-1.
Scoring twice in three minutes, a strike from Patrick Bamford in extra time put the game to bed and saw the Whites secure all three points at Elland Road.
Having enjoyed more of the ball yet fewer shots on target, Farke's side proved to be clinical in front of goal - a trait that has been evident throughout the season, helping them climb to second in the table.
FORMATION
Favouring the 4-2-3-1 formation, Farke has only deviated from this system on two occasions so far this season - playing 4-4-2 in a win away at Ipswich Town and again in a draw against Hull City.
With a solid midfield and a strong back four, the structure allows the Whites to press in the final third. Supported by two wingers, they often have one forward leading the line and a number 10 who can play as a supporting striker.
Able to rely on a solid defence, Leeds can sit deep whilst being able to capitalise on committing men forward and pushing their centre-backs higher should they need to.
WHO TO WATCH
Crysencio Summerville
Despite being sidelined on three occasions at the start of the season, Summerville has gone on to make 31 appearances for Leeds - scoring 15 times during this, and assisting on eight occasions.
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The 22-year-old winger arrived in West Yorkshire from Feyenoord in September 2020 for an undisclosed fee, having spent the entirety of his two years with the Dutch club out on loan. Despite a drop in form towards the end of last season in the top flight, Summerville has since hit the ground running in the second division.
Georginio Rutter
Arriving from Hoffenheim last January for a club-record fee, the 21-year-old centre-forward has so far found the back of the net six times this season, assisting on thirteen occasions too - something he will be looking to build on this weekend.
Absent for only the opening fixture of Leeds' 2023/24 campaign, Rutter has flown since his side arrived in the Sky Bet Championship last season due to his ability to rotate between the lone striker position and a supporting role.
Ethan Ampadu
Signing permanently from Chelsea last summer, the Welsh international has undoubtedly made his mark in Beeston. Making the move from Exeter City to West London in 2017, the midfielder spent four years out on loan with a handful of clubs before arriving in West Yorkshire.
Playing every minute for his side so far this campaign, the 23-year-old has recently shifted from a defensive midfield position to become Leeds' chief ball-winning centre midfielder and more recently a centre back - highlighting a maturity beyond his years.
TOWN TEAM NEWS
Head Coach André Breienweiter will speak to the press on Thursday afternoon ahead of our upcoming Sky Bet Championship fixture with Leeds United.
Supporters can watch the full press conference live via our X account or via HTTV on Youtube.
Leeds United have won each of their league games since the start of 2024 and will look to keep that streak going against Huddersfield Town as they push for an immediate return to the English top flight. Meanwhile, the home team will look to ensure they stay out of the drop zone.
Huddersfield are 19th in the EFL Championship, with 37 points out of their 34 games. They have only won eight games so far this season and will have to ensure they win a lot more from here on to ensure they stay in the second tier of English football.
Three of their eight wins have come in their last five games, and they will have hoping to add to their win in the last outing. They came out on top against Watford (2-1) last time out. While it was not their best performance, they did get the job done thanks to Danny Ward. And, will look for a similar result against the second-placed team.
Leeds’s incredible run in 2024 has seen them climb up to the second spot in the table with 72 points in 34 outings, and they are within touching distance of league leaders Leicester City, who have 78 points to their name. But, with Ipswich Town also on 72 points, Leeds will have to continue their winning streak or else they might lose out on the automatic qualification spot.
They have won each of their last nine league games and in their last league outing, they smashed league leaders Leicester 3-1. But, are heading into this one on the back of a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Premier League clubs Chelsea in the FA Cup. As a result, they will be eager to bounce back. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Huddersfield Town
Andre Breitenreiter, who recently took charge of Huddersfield Town, managed to get things going with an away win over Watford in his first fixture and will look to stick to the same XI for this fixture. But, Danny Ward could be handed a start having scored twice in their last outing.
Michal Helik, Oliver Turton, Josh Ruffels, Jaheim Headley and Rhys Healey are all out injured while the availability of Sorba Thomas is doubtful.
The home team will stick to the 3-5-2 formation, where Lee Nicholls will be in goal. The back three will be made up of Matty Pearson, Tom Lees, and Yuta Nakayama. The trio will look to keep things tight at the back and will have the support of David Kasumu and Brodie Spencer in doing so as the duo will start as wing-backs.
In the centre of the park, Jonathan Hogg will feature alongside Jack Rudoni and Alex Matos. The trio will try to control the tempo of the game and ensure they do not allow the visitors to have the majority of the ball. Up top, Delano Burgzorg will pair up with the hero from their last outing, Danny Ward.
Leeds United
Daniel Farke rotated his squad for the FA Cup fixture against Chelsea and will now revert to a full-strength XI for the Championship fixture against Huddersfield.
Leeds will be without the services of Ilia Gruev, who has joined Pascal Struijk and Stuart Dallas. While the trio of Georginio Rutter, Patrick Bamford, and Crysencio Summerville did have injury concerns, they are back fit and ready to start this fixture.
The visitors will stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Illan Meslier will be in goal. Connor Roberts and Junior Firpo will start as the two full-backs, while Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon will take charge in the heart of the defence.
Glen Kamara and Archie Gray will pair up to form the double pivot in midfield. They will try to control the tempo and ensure they have the majority of the ball. Daniel James and highly sought-after Crysencio Summerville will feature on the flanks.
The duo will look to stretch the opposition defence and create goal-scoring opportunities. Georginio Rutter will be the creator-in-chief for Leeds. Rutter will look to create opportunities for the wide man as well as their star striker Patrick Bamford.
Summerville has become the talk of the town because of his impressive display in the ongoing season. The 22-year-old winger has featured in 31 league games and has contributed towards 23 goals. He has found the back of the net on 15 occasions and has eight assists to his name.
His incredible run has played a big part in Leeds United’s dominance in the second tier and if they are to earn direct qualification, the former Feyenoord youth product will once again have to step up and deliver.
Prediction
Huddersfield Town 0-2 Leeds United
Andre Breitenreiter did make a bright start to his time at Huddersfield Town with an away win over Watford. While they are confident about their chances against the second-placed team in the division, the home team might not have enough in their tanks to challenge them.
Meanwhile, Leeds have been on a dream run as they chase direct qualification. They have won each of their last nine league games, and this way trip might not be that big a challenge for them given their recent form. The Hard Tackle predicts an easy 2-0 win for the away team.