A bite-sized guide to Ipswich Town’s trip to west Yorkshire to take on Huddersfield Town.
When and where?
Saturday, 3pm, John Smith’s Stadium
What’s the team news?
There’s a slight doubt over Luke Hyam after he left Tuesday’s loss to Hull early with a hamstring issue, while long-term absentees Teddy Bishop, Ryan Fraser and David McGoldrick are still missing.
For the Terriers, teenage midfielder Emyr Huws is injured while Dane Philip Billing is suspended.
Who is their manager?
Technically David Wagner is Huddersfield’s head coach, having previously been the boss of Borussia Dortmund’s second team during Jurgen Klopp’s time there. He was set to join Klopp at Anfield, before taking on the top job at the John Smith’s last November.
Just like his friend, Wagner employs the ‘gegenpress’ tactic which aims to get the ball back as soon as possible after losing it.
How have they been getting on so far this season?
Things have picked up under Wagner, after a tough start to the season prior to his appointment, and the Terriers are now on a run of three games without defeat having lost their previous four.
What does the two sides’ form look like over the last five league games?
Ipswich: L-W-L-L-L
Hull: L-L-W-W-D
Who has the best record in this fixture?
Ipswich are well on top in the all-time series between these two, having won half of the 42 games played. Huddersfield have won 12 and there have been nine draws.
What happened when they met earlier in the season?
It was a pretty drab 0-0 draw when the two sides met in October, with David McGoldrick spurning the best chance for the Blues.
Who is the ref?
Darren Bond refereed two Ipswich games last season, both away from home, with the Blues managing a draw at Sheffield Wednesday in September 2014 before taking charge of the win at Charlton, in which Noel Hunt scored a dramatic winner.
Who are the Huddersfield danger men?
Nahki Well is by far the club’s leading scorer this season, with 13 goals in all competitions, and is a danger if allowed in behind defenders. Joe Lolley supports him well while Jamie Paterson can also be a nuisance in midfield.
What are the bookies saying?
The bookies appear to be wising up to the Blues’ poor form, making them 13/5 to win tomorrow while Hudderfield are 6/5 and the draw 12/5.
Christophe Berra hasn’t scored this season and says it’s time for the defenders to help out the forwards, so if you fancy the Scot to open the scoring he’s 28/1.
Anything else worth knowing?
There are set to be two Tommy Smith’s playing in this game, with the Huddersfield right-back sharing the same name as the Ipswich Town centre-back.
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