Huddersfield will look to stretch the gap from the relegation zone when they host Huddersfield Town. The visitors are currently only above the drop zone on goal differential, despite back-to-back victories. Their hosts have risen to 11th place with a string of victories.
Preview (Cardiff City vs. Huddersfield Town)
Wednesday sees Cardiff City’s return to Wales in an attempt to maintain their recent winning streak. It would sustain any slim aspirations they may have of making the Championship playoffs. The team has recovered well from a difficult period of play in recent weeks. Despite having a better season overall since hiring Errol Bulut in the summer, Cardiff City had a difficult start to the year. A six-match stretch between mid-January and mid-February resulted in five losses and one victory. It caused them to fall out of the top six race.
But since then, the Bluebirds seem to have turned the wheel. They first stopped a run of three straight losses with a goalless draw against Blackburn Rovers at home. Then, they hosted Stoke City and won 2-1 thanks to goals from Kyleon Etete and Karlan Grant in the first half. Next up on Saturday was a trip to Bristol City. Bulut’s team triumphed at Ashton Gate when Perry Ng scored the game’s lone goal. It earned them bragging rights and their first league victory since October.
Despite experiencing a surge in form since Darren Moore’s departure in mid-January, Huddersfield Town enters Wednesday’s match in twenty-first place. They are only ahead of the relegation zone on goal differential. The Terriers are once again hovering just above the bottom three. Before turning to German manager Andre Breitenreiter to lead their survival bid in late February, interim manager Jon Worthington led the West Yorkshire team to two significant victories in a five-match stretch, sparking somewhat of an upturn in form at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Team News
Jonathan Hogg, a vital midfield player for Huddersfield Town, was sent off for a second bookable offense in the first half of their recent draw with Leeds United. Yuta Nakayama, a defender, will be joining Oliver Turton, Josh Ruffels, and Rhys Healey in the engine room after being substituted out in the first half of Saturday’s match. Their injury problems have somewhat subsided, though, as Danny Ward made a comeback and scored twice against Watford. Michal Helik, the center-back, replaced Nakayama on the bench and scored his ninth Championship goal of the year against Leeds; on Wednesday, he should start at right back.
In Hogg’s absence, Ben Wiles will probably work with Alex Matos and Jack Rudoni in the engine room. Danny Ward and Delano Burgzorg will try to hold off competition from players like Josh Koroma and Bojan Radulovic. Sorba Thomas is another threat from out wide. Mark McGuinness, a crucial defender for Cardiff City, will not be available on Wednesday due to an injury, and Ethan Horvath will continue to play in goal.
The Bluebirds’ starting lineup from Saturday’s derby victory is probably going to remain the same. In McGuinness’s absence, Nathaniel Phillips will once more pair with Dimitrios Goutas at the center of a defensive four. Joe Ralls and Emmanouil Siopis will stick together in midfield despite Ryan Wintle’s competition. Before them, January addition David Turnbull is expected to re-join wingers Josh Bowler and Rubin Colwill as a supporting trio behind Kion Etete, the lone striker. Karlan Grant and Callum Robinson are expected to stay in the treatment area.
Cardiff City 1-1 Huddersfield Town
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