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Huddersfield Town will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run and cement their place in the play-offs when they face Preston North End at Deepdale.
Led by Carlos Corberan, Leeds United’s former first-team coach under Marcelo Bielsa, Huddersfield have excelled expectations as they find themselves inside the play-offs and five points off the automatic places.
Despite finishing six points of the bottom three last season, the Spanish manager has turned things around this season and his side are currently on a 12-game unbeaten in all competitions.
In their last outing, the Terriers reached the Fifth Round of the FA Cup after Duane Holmes’ goal knocked fellow Yorkshire side Barnsley out the competition, setting up a tie against Nottingham Forest in the next round.
After a strong start to the season, which saw Town sit fourth after seven matches, Corberan’s side have once again upped their bid to finish in the play-offs, especially in their recent matches away from home.
The Terriers have won two of their last three league fixtures on the road against Forest and Reading and they remain unbeaten away from the John Smith’s Stadium since a defeat to Queens Park Rangers at the end of November.
The full list of Championship clubs who are yet to lose in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣ (all competitions):
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— The Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24) February 7, 2022
Top scorer Danny Ward, who has scored 10 goals so far, will be hoping to end a three-match goal drought in Lancashire, whilst Sorba Thomas will be aiming to build on his 11 assists in all competitions.
Likewise to the visitors, Preston have seen a remarkable turn in form since sacking Frankie McAvoy and appointing Ryan Lowe in December.
When Lowe took over, Preston were nine points above the bottom three with only one win in their previous five. However, fast forward nine matches and North End have catapulted themselves up the table to the point where they sit four points of the play-offs with only one loss under his control.
The Lilywhites are yet to lose at Deepdale during Lowe’s time in charge, although three of their four outings have finished in draws. In his second home match in charge, and whilst down to 10-men, Preston produced a dramatic comeback to draw 2-2 against Sheffield United after being 2-0 down with 20 minutes remaining.
Preston look set to face Huddersfield with a near enough fully fit squad despite calf injuries to Tom Barkhuizen and Jacob Murphy, who is yet to start a match since signing on loan from Cardiff City. Lowe is expected to have the same players available who defeated Hull City last time out.
Fans favourite Emil Riis Jakobsen will be aiming to get on the scoresheet for a third home match in a row. The Danish forward, who has already scored more goals in a season than any Preston player since David Nugent in 2006/07, scored a spectacular last second equaliser against Bristol City in their last outing at Deepdale.
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— Preston North End FC (@pnefc) January 29, 2022
Cameron Archer, who signed on loan from Aston Villa for the rest of the season, will be hoping to score his first goal for the club on home soil after scoring in wins over West Bromwich Albion and Hull.
Huddersfield travel to Lancashire with a number of long term injuries to Alex Vallejo, Rolando Aarons and Ryan Schofield whilst Levi Colwill continues his recovery from a knee injury.
The visitors received positive news on right-back Pipa’s scan, however, he will be absent at Deepdale. The Spaniard went off with a groin injury last weekend, but Corberan revealed he will be sidelined for too long and that he will return to training once symptoms start to stop.
Deadline Day loan signing Tino Anjorin will be missing once more as he continues his recovery from injury with the Chelsea medical staff. Corberan confirmed before Huddersfield’s clash with Barnsley that it would be two weeks before the midfielder would start training with the club.
In order to cement their place in the playoffs with numerous teams behind having games in hand, Huddersfield will be hoping to continue their impressive evening showings.
Corberan’s men have won eight of their nine evening matches in the league this season, with their only defeat under the night lights coming against QPR at Loftus Road, the last time Huddersfield lost.
However, leaving Deepdale with three points is something Town have not achieved in 53 years. Preston are unbeaten in their last 17 matches at home to Huddersfield and have won the last six meetings consecutively.
Three points against the Terriers will be crucial in Preston’s attempt to break into the play-offs. After Huddersfield, the Lilywhites face strugglers Peterborough United [22nd] and Reading [21st] who pose as likeable sides for Lowe to continue his strong start in charge.
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