Huddersfield Town v Cardiff City
Date: 25/08/2018
K/O: 15:00pm
Venue: John Smith’s Stadium
Referee: Michael Oliver
The Terriers will host new comers Cardiff on Saturday with Huddersfield hoping to pick up their first points of the 2018/19 campaign.
Like their hosts, Cardiff City are yet to get off to winning ways in their Premier League campaign, although they have managed a point to get them off the mark. Their introduction to Premier League life started on the 11th of August and ended in a two nil defeat down on the South coast, against Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth.
Since that fixture, Rafa Benitez’s Magpies went to visit the recently promoted Championship side and found that they had to settle for a goalless draw. Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge’s last minute penalty save meant City got their first points on the board for their new Premier League campaign. Cardiff City will be looking to continue this momentum against the Terriers and use it to kick start their form and their winning ways; ultimately to avoid any chance of an early relegation tussle.
Huddersfield however, have struggled since the off with two very challenging fixtures against Chelsea and reigning champions Manchester City, which has resulted in them sitting rock bottom. An added worry is their goal difference; they have managed to concede nine goals in their opening two matches, three at home to Chelsea, before they were hit for six at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Despite the rough start to their 18/19 campaign, Huddersfield will want to show that they have more to offer, and prove why they remained in the division last time out.
Team News
Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock made four changes from the opening day XI in the last match, and may be tempted to continue tinkering with a fully fit squad at his disposal. He will have the luxury of choosing between Kenneth Zohore and £10m signing Bobby Reid as to who will start up front.
Huddersfield boss David Wanger is concerned about the fitness of starting center-back Mathias Jorgensen, who is suffering from a muscular issue as well as midfielder Jonathan Hogg who has been struggling with a hip problem. Danny Williams and Erik Durm are both suffering from niggles and could miss the game.
Keeper Hamer may struggle to retain his place after his disappointing display at the Etihad, while Aaron Mooy will definitely return to the side after missing the game against Manchester City due to his wife’s pregnancy.
This will be the 74th meeting between the two sides with Huddersfield holding the slightly superior record with 29 wins to their name. Cardiff have 24 wins, whilst there have been 20 draws between the two teams.
Predicted Starting XI’s:
Huddersfield Town: Hamer; Lowe, Schindler, Kongolo, Smith; Stankovic, Mooy, Billing, Pritchard, Handergjonaj; Mounie
Cardiff City: Etheridge; Ecule, Morrison, Sol Bamba, Bennett; Arter, Camarasa, Ralls; Mendez-laing, Zohore, Hoilett
Prediction: Huddersfield Town 3 Cardiff City 1
