PREVIEW: BIRMINGHAM CITY (A)

24 February 2022

All you need to know ahead of Saturday’s game

- Birmingham City vs Huddersfield Town
- Saturday 26 February 2022, 3pm kick-off
- Listen on iFollow HTAFC

Town continue their Sky Bet Championship campaign at St Andrew’s, taking on Birmingham City on Saturday 26 February at 3pm.

Town arrive at St Andrew’s after an incredible 2-1 win at home against Cardiff City on Wednesday 23 February 2022, with Josh Koroma and Jon Russell both scoring in the dying minutes to extend our unbeaten run in all competitions to 16 games.

Birmingham City come into the game having lost away from home to Reading 2-1 on Tuesday night.

THE OPPOSITION

Birmingham City currently occupy the 18th spot of the Championship table having taken 37 points from 34 games.

Lee Bowyer was appointed as manager of the Blues in March 2021 on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Bowyer kept Birmingham City in the Championship last season when they finished 18th, and he will be looking to push on into mid-table this season.

After the reverse fixture finishing in a 0-0 draw, both sides will be hoping to learn from that match and come away with all three points on Saturday.

ONES TO WATCH

Juninho Bacuna

The former Huddersfield Town midfielder joined Birmingham City from Rangers in January 2022, and is enjoying the start to his Blues journey. Bacuna signed for Town in our second season in the Premier League, going on to make over 100 appearances for the Terriers and scoring 12 goals before transferring to Scottish side Rangers. The midfielder has so far played six games for the Blues and has scored one goal, assisting another.

Juninho Bacuna Birmingham 2022 16x9.png

Troy Deeney

After an 11-year career with Watford, Birmingham born Deeney signed a two-year deal with Birmingham City at the beginning of the 2021/22 season. Throughout his time at Watford, Deeney made just short of 400 appearances and scored 131 goals for the Hornets. The striker has so far played 18 games for the Blues and has scored four goals, as well as assisting a further three goals.

Troy Deeney Birmingham 2022 16x9.png

Scott Hogan

After a loan spell with the Blues at the end of the 2019/20 season, Hogan moved across the city to Birmingham from Aston Villa. The Irish International started his career at Rochdale for a season in 2013/14 before moving to Brentford for three seasons where he hit the net on 21 occasions in 36 appearances. The striker is the top goal scorer for the Blues so far this season with 10 goals in 28 appearances, alongside a further assist.

Scott Hogan Birmingham 2022 16x9.png

TEAM NEWS

Town Head Coach Carlos Corberán will provide an update on the fitness of his squad during his virtual press conference on Friday 25 February 2022.

KIT

Town will be in their beach glass third kit for the trip to St Andrew’s Stadium.

CLICK HERE to buy yours now.

HOW TO WATCH

Tickets are on sale online now – CLICK HERE – and are available to purchase from the Ticket Office.

Tickets come off sale at 3pm on Friday 25 February 2022, with Birmingham City confirming that pay on the day will be available at St Andrew’s at no additional cost.

PRICES

Adults - £25
Seniors (65+) - £20
19-24 Years - £20
13-18 Years - £15
Under 13s - £10

Wheelchair and ambulant disabled tickets are charged at the standard price, but come with a free additional companion.

HOW TO WATCH

If you are unable to attend the game, you’ll be able to listen along via iFollow HTAFC!

Town fans will be able to listen to Saturday’s game through our live audio commentary by purchasing either a Monthly or Audio Match Pass to tune in live. You can purchase a UK Season Pass for £45, Monthly Pass for £4.49 and an Audio Match Pass for £2.50.

CLICK HERE to sign up to iFollow HTAFC!

Match Reports

REPORT: BIRMINGHAM CITY 0-2 TOWN

26 February 2022

Town bag another win on the road!

- Birmingham City 0-2 Huddersfield Town
- Terriers extend run to 17 unbeaten
- Gary Gardner (og) and Lewis O’Brien on the scoresheet

Huddersfield Town made history on Saturday afternoon as they beat Birmingham City 0-2 at St Andrew’s.

The win not only saw the Terriers extend their lead to 17 unbeaten in all competitions, but also set a new Club record for their longest unbeaten run in the Second Division.

Our eighth unbeaten away game of the season, the game saw the return of Levi Colwill after a 10-game absence, and Jordan Rhodes make his first start since Derby County at the start of the month.

Town came out of the blocks fastest, with Colwill almost playing Sorba Thomas clean through in the fifth minute. Unfortunately, Neil Etheridge read it well and was able to gather the ball in time.

Moments later, Rhodes had the ball in the back of the net, but Duane Holmes was flagged offside in the build-up.

The game settled for a period, before a long stoppage in play as Maxime Colin received medical attention.

The 27th minute saw the Terriers break the deadlock! A great corner delivery from Thomas met Colwill at the back post, who headed back towards the centre of the post! Unfortunately for the birthday boy, it did hit Gary Gardner on its way into the back of the net, so looked like an own goal…

Lewis O’Brien had a chance four minutes later, but his strong strike from a narrow angle was well saved by Etheridge.

Almost instantly, Rhodes went through on Etheridge off a ball over the top, but the hosts’ ‘keeper got to him just in time.

Lee Nicholls was called into action for the first time to deny Onel Hernández. The winger hit a great drive at his near post, but Nicholls got his body in the way.

Holmes tried his luck in the 35th minute following a great ball through from Thomas. Unfortunately, his left footed half-volley didn’t hit the target.

Moments later, a deflected clearance sent Lukas Jutkiewicz racing away, but Ollie Turton was on hand to retreat incredibly well and deny him!

As the clock showed 44 minutes played, O’Brien doubled the Terriers’ lead! Some confusion at the back for Birmingham saw the ball fall to our midfielder inside the area, allowing him to tap it in.

The hosts started the second half the brighter of the two sides, with Hernández trying one from range in the 49th minute. Thankfully, he hit it comfortably wide of Nicholls’ goal.

Two minutes later, Ryan Woods tried his luck with a volley from outside the box. Thankfully, Harry Toffolo was on hand to block superbly with his thigh!

The 69th minute saw Thomas hit the post! Some great play from the Welshman ended in a fierce strike from an acute angle whack straight off the post and out of play.

Moments later, Birmingham hit the post. Jeremie Bela squared the ball for former Town man Juninho Bacuna, but his shot towards the bottom corner hit the post after a deflection off Matty Pearson.

The 76th minute saw Nicholls unleash an EXCELLENT save! Hernández sent a hard, powerful strike towards goal, but our no.21 pushed it onto the bar before it cannoned back out to safety!

The game settled for the remainder, with neither side able to find any clear-cut chances.

The referee blew his whistle after six minutes of added time, seeing Town walk away with all three Sky Bet Championship points.

Fancy getting involved with some Terrier Spirit? Join us at the John Smith’s Stadium on Friday 4 March 2022 when Town welcome Peterborough United!

Town’s Line-Up (4-3-3)

Lee Nicholls; Harry Toffolo, Levi Colwill, Matty Pearson, Ollie Turton; Jonathan Hogg, Lewis O’Brien, Jon Russell; Duane Holmes (Danel Sinani, 77’), Jordan Rhodes (Danny Ward, 79’), Sorba Thomas (Josh Koroma, 90’)

Unused Subs

Jamal Blackman; Josh Ruffels, Naby Sarr, Carel Eiting

Town Scorers

Gary Gardner (og, 27’), Lewis O’Brien (44’)