How Huddersfield could do with improving their away form with a trip to Bristol City

In Huddersfield Town’s return to the championship, their away form has always been a factor that has potentially determined their lack of successes at times.

Last season under Danny Cowley the side had a good home spell going six unbeaten and under Carlos Corberán this season, the side have also somewhat replicated this good home form at times, going six unbeaten including five wins, however, both managers seem to have struggled away from the John Smith’s Stadium.

Last season the side won just five games away from home in 23 games these were against; this season’s high flyers, Stoke and Brentford, Birmingham who have been struggling this season since the departure of Jude Bellingham and Charlton and Hull who both were relegated last season.

In 13 games this season, Corberán’s side have won just two times away from home against Swansea and Millwall in the first few weeks of the season and have yet to win again on the road since October 31st. The side are now approaching three months without registering an away win and it is vital that the Terriers pick up three points at Ashton Gate.

The Robins’ home form though will cause a challenge for Huddersfield with the side winning 50% of their 12 games this season, and most recently winning three of their last five at home will cause issues for the West Yorkshire side and with Dean Holden knowing the strength of Huddersfield it will be an end to end game.

“They’re a tough team to play against, irrespective of their form or the position they’re in, the way that they play and the energy they play with.”

In the earlier game this season City came out on top following a comeback from the side, Town took the lead through Josh Koroma just before half time. However, the Robins would find two goals through Jay Dasilva and ex-Huddersfield player Jamie Paterson.

In Holden’s press conference with Gregor Macgregor, he stated that Paterson had trained earlier in the week but didn’t know if the 29-year-old would feature against his former side. It is likely though that for the second time away from home Huddersfield will face former loanee Kasey Palmer who briefly featured for Swansea earlier this season against his former club.

Speaking about former Huddersfield players, the Terriers announced the re-signing of Duane Holmes on Monday morning, on a three-year-deal. The American has a point to prove not only to himself but to fans of the club, Holmes came through the academy but never hit the levels demanded and left in 2014.

Following a lacklustre campaign so far in his time under Wayne Rooney at Derby it is vital that Holmes makes an instant impact and could be given the chance to do so against the Robins on Tuesday night.

“Duane Holmes can be in the squad or he could be a first eleven player.He’ll start training tomorrow by himself to get ready from a medical point of view to start training after the game.”

Following the news about a long-term injury of Carel Eiting and the issues regarding other midfield players, it is likely Town fans won’t have to wait to see the now 26-year-old appear for the first time since the 26th April 2014 in a blue and white shirt.

Bristol could potentially line up in a 4-4-2 like Holden has used in his side’s last five appearances in all competitions and has brought them some success, this will likely see Diedhou and Wells lead the line. Adam Nagy could also make a return to the side alongside Zak Vyner who has recently impressed in his shift from defence to midfield.

Huddersfield will likely line up in a 4-3-3 or as a 3-4-3 as we have seen commonly in the past few games. Alex Vallejo has been a key player in this constantly changing formation due to his ability to shift between defence midfielder and the centre of defence.

Rolando Aarons will likely start and the game could see a return to the starting 11 for Isaac Mbenza. Holmes could potentially come into the side in the place of Juninho Bacuna or Lewis O’Brien due to the poor performances from the two central midfielders who have yet to hit the heights of last season.

Both sides come into the game with relatively poor form with Bristol City winning two of their last five having three loss in this time in all competitions, Huddersfield with one win and four losses. For two sides wanting to be in the Play-Off picture at the end of the season, it is a massive game for both sides.

 

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