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Newcastle United vs Huddersfield Town: 23/02/2019 – match preview and predicted starting XIs

Newcastle United vs Huddersfield Town

Date: 23/02/2019

K/O: 15:00

Venue: St James’ Park

Referee: Kevin Friend  

Newcastle United host Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon with the visitors winless in their previous 13 fixtures and cut adrift at the bottom of the Premier League table. During that baron run the Terriers have scored on just seven occasions, while conceding 26 times.
With a meagre 11 points this campaign and a further 15 from safety, Huddersfield’s fate is all but sealed. Though victory against the Magpies would provide Jan Siewert with his first win as boss and give a much-needed morale boost for the away side as they set about preparing for a return to the Championship.
Gaining any points from the fixture and improving their form towards the end of the season is essential in convincing crucial squad members they should stay at the John Smith’s Stadium beyond this summer. If a mass exodus occurs, then there is little chance of an immediate return to the top flight. Another defeat for Huddersfield would make it five in succession and despite a difficult run of fixtures, Siewert would not be pleased with the impression he’s made since arriving.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have had 12 days to recover from the devastating last-second equaliser at Molineux last time out, causing Rafael Benitez to question the English’s understanding of the rules. A win would guarantee that the hosts maintained their position above the relegation zone while possibly moving them as high as 13th place, due to the clustered nature of the sides above.
Dependent on results elsewhere, a draw could see Benitez’s side slip into the relegation places, but it would require Southampton to upset Arsenal. Realistically, failing to get maximum points against the bottom club could be held against Newcastle as a missed opportunity. Though defeat would rank as a catastrophic failure to seize an excellent opportunity considering Huddersfield’s form; it would be regarded as a near certainty that the hosts will pick up at least a point.
One player who could make the difference is Miguel Almiron, whose debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers was overshadowed by Willy Boly’s last gasp leveller. The Newcastle fans saw enough in the Paraguayan’s 23-minute cameo to suggest at the very least he will be exciting on the eye. While his speed at first appears mesmerising, what was even more absorbing was how little the midfielder slowed with the ball at his feet. Being fast is one thing but it is a useless skill without being able to control the ball while in full flight, and this is something Almiron has no trouble achieving.
Aside from his devastating pace, Almiron displayed a keen desire to track back and link with Salomon Rondon in front of him; despite instantaneously drawing the eye there is a selflessness to Almiron’s play which Benitez will admire.



Elsewhere Jonjo Shelvey is likely to make the bench and could even start after an absence through injury. Though during his time away Sean Longstaff has capitalised on Shelvey being sidelined to claim the central midfield position as his own. It would be a risk for Benitez to instantly replace the 21-year-old after seamlessly transitioning into the starting line-up.
If anyone is likely to instigate an upset for Huddersfield on Saturday, it’s Aaron Mooy. The midfielder was pivotal in the Terriers survival last season and has been a shining light in a dismal campaign thus far. The Australian has an outstanding attitude and has not been deterred by his sides poor results, epitomised by his recovery stats averaging over eight a game.
As well as this, he boasts an excellent tackle percentage and pass success rate exemplifying his effect at both ends of the field. While Mooy’s two goals may not appear much, considering his side is the lowest scoring in the Premier League, that pair makes him their joint second highest scorer.
Seiwert may have trouble convincing his prized asset to remain at the John Smith’s Stadium next season, and there are a host of top-flight teams who could benefit from his dynamism in midfield, including opponents Newcastle.
Predicted Starting XIs
Newcastle United (3-4-2-1): Dubravka; Schar, Lascelles, Lejeune; Yedlin, Hayden, Longstaff, Ritchie; Perez, Atsu; Rondon
Huddersfield Town (4-3-3): Lossl; Smith, Schindler, Zanka, Kongolo; Mooy, Hogg, Billing; Diakhaby, Mounie, Kachunga
Score Prediction: Newcastle United 2 Huddersfield 0
Home advantage and the host’s slight upturn in recent form should be enough to see them victorious this weekend. Though there are few games where Newcastle enter as genuine favourites, and Benitez will be cautious not to be complacent.
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