Huddersfield Town vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Date: 01/12/2018
K/O: 15:00
Venue: John Smith’s Stadium
Referee: Michael Oliver
Huddersfield host the Seagulls on Saturday in a search to continue their three game unbeaten run in the Premier League.
David Wagner will be delighted with his team’s performance following last week’s win. A victory against Wolves means that for the first time this season, the Terriers have escaped the bottom three. Not only did that game provide three vital points, but it gave Town their third clean sheet and it was their highest scoring game so far this season.
Still unbeaten since their game against Fulham three weeks ago, Wagner will be expecting his side to produce another resilient performance to hoist his team further clear of relegation.
A buoyant Brighton come into the game in fine form too, having won three of their last six games. Last time out a late Jamie Vardy penalty concluded a stalemate draw, meaning Brighton were unable to leapfrog Wolves and climb into 11th place.
The Seagulls put up a fighting performance away from home and were unlucky not to return with all three points after dominating much of the game. However, this week’s opposition provides a chance for them to get back on track, as they face one of the league’s weakest defences.
If Huddersfield Town can rectify their impressive performances of late, they could climb up into 14th. To be in this position seemed almost impossible three weeks ago; having still not won, with only four goals and sitting bottom of the league. However, they have denied all odds and are beginning to put an impressive run together. Two goals from their Australian playmaker, Aaron Mooy, meant that their run continued on Saturday. Mooy has had a slow start to this season, bagging his first goal of the season 13 games in; last season he had three already.
Glen Murray is another man in fine form. He was responsible for helping seal a point away to Leicester courtesy of a towering header. Only 13 games played and Murray is level on goals with the likes of Salah, Kane and Aguero, all with seven goals. He poses a significant threat to the poor Huddersfield back line, and will be eager to increase his tally being level with such prestigious players.
The next three games for Chris Hughton’s side could prove pivotal in their campaign. Each game is against a team placed lower than themselves and could pull them towards the infamous 40 point mark. This run of favourable games is even more valuable considering they face a tricky Christmas period. The Seagulls will host both Arsenal and Chelsea in December, the Arsenal game will be played on the Wednesday just four days after a trip to Bournemouth. Ultimately, with Hughton’s side playing as well as they are at the moment, they should feel confident against most teams.
Team News
Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton will be without midfielder Jahanbakhsh as he continues to be out with an ongoing hamstring issue. The Seagulls will also be missing Dale Stephens as he is suspended until the 8th of December. Hughton will be hoping that his in-form striker, Glen Murray, will be available for selection after he picked up a knock against Leicester last week. Goalkeeper Matt Ryan has also been in fine form making some fantastic saves of late, he should also feature after getting a knock in training.
Hughton made four changes to the starting line-up for the 1-1 home draw against Leicester. The head coach switched both full-backs, and Pascal Gross and Davy Propper returned from injuries. So it’s possible that Hughton could change his squad again this week. The manager said, “We have got good competition in the squad and I have to be able to use that competition and competitive edge.”
Huddersfield Town
German Defender Chris Lowe will likely sit this one out because of a shoulder injury; the defender is expected back on the first of December.
Town striker Mounie will start upfront again after a fantastic performance last week.
David Wagner also praised midfielder Phillip Billing following his inspired performance against Wolves on Sunday. Billing, along with Jonathon Hogg and Aaron Mooy, was exceptional against Nuno Espirito Santo’s men and kept Town ahead with a remarkable goal-line clearance in the second half. Wagner praised his efforts saying his clearance was, “as important as a goal”.
Wagner later added that midfielder Aaron Mooy is “top class” after the play maker scored a brace in order to help his side grasp their first away win of the season at Wolves.
Predicted Starting XI’s
Huddersfield Town (3-5-1-1)
Lössl; Smith, Schindler, Kongolo; Hadergjonaj, Mooy, Hogg, Billing, Durm; Pritchard; Mounie.
Brighton & Hove Albion (4-4-1-1)
Mat Ryan; Bruno, Duffy, Dunk, Bernardo; Knockaert, Pröpper, Kayal, Izquierdo; Gross; Murray.
Predicted Score: Huddersfield Town 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 0
Wanger’s side are finally winning games, and they don’t look like stopping. Brighton still have not won a game on the road and I can’t see them doing it against a fired up Huddersfield team. It will be a tight affair, but I’m backing the home side for the win.
