PREVIEW: LEEDS UNITED (H)

27 February 2024

A comprehensive look at our upcoming West Yorkshire derby at the John Smith's Stadium

- Huddersfield Town vs Leeds United
- Saturday 2 March; 12.30pm kick-off at John Smith's Stadium
- An in-depth look at the West Yorkshire derby

André Breitenreiter takes charge for his first home game at the John Smith's Stadium as we face Leeds United in our upcoming West Yorkshire derby.

Winning their last three fixtures against Town, it was the Terriers who had left victorious in the previous three meetings before the 2019/20 season. Having met 44 times historically across all competitions, Town have recorded 32 wins ahead of Leeds' 30, with the two sides drawing 19 times overall.

Taking charge for not only his first home game, but his first West Yorkshire derby, Head Coach André Breitenreiter will be looking to build on last Saturday's win at Vicarage Road.

THE OPPOSITION

Following relegation from the Premier League last season, a 19th placed finish saw Leeds' three year stint in the top flight come to an end. Returning to the Sky Bet Championship under Daniel Farke, his side have enjoyed a successful campaign in the second division thus far.

Currently sitting in second position, Leeds are just six points behind leaders Leicester City as they look to make an immediate return to the top flight. Undefeated at home this season, and boasting a current unbeaten run of nine games, they have only dropped a total of 24 points throughout the entirety of their current campaign.

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THEIR MANAGER

Perhaps best known for his time at Norwich City, 47-year-old Farke spent four years with the club following his departure from Borussia Dortmund II. Being crowned winner of the Sky Bet Championship on two occasions during his stint in Norfolk, the German coach was unable to maintain his side's Premier League status during both their seasons in the top flight.

Following a brief spell with Russian side Krasnodar in 2022, before a return to German football with Borussia Monchengladbach last year, Farke joined Leeds United last summer on a four-year contract.

Unbeaten in their last nine games, Farke continues to thrive in West Yorkshire, having only lost six games so far this campaign.

LAST TIME OUT

Winning eight games on the trot before Friday evening, Leeds continued their unbeaten run against top-of-the-table Leicester City - coming from behind to beat the Foxes 3-1.

Scoring twice in three minutes, a strike from Patrick Bamford in extra time put the game to bed and saw the Whites secure all three points at Elland Road.

Having enjoyed more of the ball yet fewer shots on target, Farke's side proved to be clinical in front of goal - a trait that has been evident throughout the season, helping them climb to second in the table.

Previous Starting XI: Meslier; Gray, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gruev, Kamara; Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville; Piroe (4-2-3-1)

FORMATION

Favouring the 4-2-3-1 formation, Farke has only deviated from this system on two occasions so far this season - playing 4-4-2 in a win away at Ipswich Town and again in a draw against Hull City.

With a solid midfield and a strong back four, the structure allows the Whites to press in the final third. Supported by two wingers, they often have one forward leading the line and a number 10 who can play as a supporting striker.

Able to rely on a solid defence, Leeds can sit deep whilst being able to capitalise on committing men forward and pushing their centre-backs higher should they need to.

WHO TO WATCH

Crysencio Summerville

Despite being sidelined on three occasions at the start of the season, Summerville has gone on to make 31 appearances for Leeds - scoring 15 times during this, and assisting on eight occasions.

The 22-year-old winger arrived in West Yorkshire from Feyenoord in September 2020 for an undisclosed fee, having spent the entirety of his two years with the Dutch club out on loan. Despite a drop in form towards the end of last season in the top flight, Summerville has since hit the ground running in the second division.

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Georginio Rutter

Arriving from Hoffenheim last January for a club-record fee, the 21-year-old centre-forward has so far found the back of the net six times this season, assisting on thirteen occasions too - something he will be looking to build on this weekend.

Absent for only the opening fixture of Leeds' 2023/24 campaign, Rutter has flown since his side arrived in the Sky Bet Championship last season due to his ability to rotate between the lone striker position and a supporting role.

Georginio Rutter 16x9.jpg

Ethan Ampadu

Signing permanently from Chelsea last summer, the Welsh international has undoubtedly made his mark in Beeston. Making the move from Exeter City to West London in 2017, the midfielder spent four years out on loan with a handful of clubs before arriving in West Yorkshire.

Playing every minute for his side so far this campaign, the 23-year-old has recently shifted from a defensive midfield position to become Leeds' chief ball-winning centre midfielder and more recently a centre back - highlighting a maturity beyond his years.

Ethan Ampadu 16x9.jpg

TOWN TEAM NEWS

Head Coach André Breitenreiter will speak to the press on Thursday afternoon ahead of our upcoming Sky Bet Championship fixture with Leeds United.

Supporters can watch the full press conference live via our X account or via HTTV on Youtube.

KIT

Back at home on Saturday, André Breitenreiter's side take on Leeds United in our traditional blue and white stripes.

Still available in all sizes, CLICK HERE to get yours!

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TICKET NEWS

You can still join us at the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday - with tickets starting from £15 (plus booking fee).

For full ticket information, CLICK HERE.

iFOLLOW HTAFC

Selected for live broadcast by Sky Sports, this fixture will only be available to stream in selected overseas markets.

However, supporters can still access live match commentary via iFollow HTAFC with both season passes and match passes available for just £2.50.

To find out more about iFollow, please CLICK HERE.

SKY SPORTS

Supporters unable to join us in HD1 will be able to watch every kick of the West Yorkshire derby via Sky Sports, who have selected the fixture for exclusive live broadcast.

The match is available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football from noon on Saturday.

Match Reports

REPORT: TOWN 1-1 LEEDS UNITED

2 March 2024

West Yorkshire derby ends in draw with Helik on the scoresheet as Hogg sent from the field for Huddersfield Town

- Huddersfield Town 1-1 Leeds United
- Michał Helik scores in first half injury time
- Captain Jonathan Hogg sent off for two bookings

Unwavering spirit was the overwhelming senitment from the Terriers in today's West Yorkshire derby, with a fantastic attacking performance with 11 men in the first half underlined by an equally important defensive showing with 10 in the second.

Never a game that would take long to warm, both sides flew from the blocks at the John Smith’s Stadium, with all four sides of there ground at fever pitch from the off. Patrick Bamford was the first to enjoy a sight at goal, with the ball falling to him at point blank range inside the penalty box - side footing toward the net, Lee Nicholls reacted brilliantly to keep the Terriers level.

Reacting instantaneously, Town returned pressure and fire, enjoying the better possession and territory in the next exchanges. Sparked further into life by a brilliant drive at goal from distant by Jack Rudoni, it required a full stretch dive from Meslier to deny him, as the Leeds goalkeeper conceded a corner. Connecting with the set play with a clever flick, Rudoni almost scored again, but Meslier was able to palm it away at his near post.

On the break, Leeds would turn to Summerville for an outlet, but he wasn’t able to get the better of Spencer who stuck with his man on every run. Seemingly giving Bamford another chance to tap in soon after, he saw his effort again saved by Nicholls; but the effort wouldn’t have counted either way, with Gnoto flagged offside in the build up.

Going back on the attack, Delano Burgzorg showed the intent of the Town side by giving Junior Firpo the run around, knocking the ball past him before beating him again for pace to gather and continue his drive forward. Soon forced into a change with Nakayama injured, Michał Helik made his return for the Terriers, filing back into defence as Spencer shuffled over the left back and Pearson filled in on the right.

Soon bubbling on the field as well as off it, the referee wasn’t shy with his bookings, with the Terriers more often on the wrong end of those decisions than the away side. On one occasion the call did go in Town’s favour, Jack Rudoni was felled on the far left touchline, with Sorba Thomas taking control of the dead ball. Met by Danny Ward, his downward effort was only just kept at bay by Meslier, who’s push back into play fell kindly for Helik, who extend his run at top scorer this season as he crashed home from close range!

A richly deserved lead, Town were showing the playing principles that André Breitenreiter has discussed since joining the Club, pressing aggressively, looking to take players on and wanting to play an attractive brand of attacking football, all while remaining defensively solid at the other end of the field. Going into nine minutes of added time following the goal in the opening seconds of injury time, the Terriers saw captain Jonathan Hogg sent from the field for a second yellow card. Remaining defensively resolute until the whistle was blown whilst still looking to get forward, the one nil lead remained in tact at half-time.

Making a change in the break with Alex Matos introduced in place of Danny Ward, the Terriers didn’t sit back as may have been expected with ten men, remaining committed to their task of breaking with pace and pressing high with plenty of energy. Forcing the visitors into more hurried challenges and remaining dangerous from set plays, Pearson went close with almost an hour gone direct from a corner, just header over following another wonderful Thomas delivery.

Unhappy with how they were performing, Leeds made a triple change on the hour, introducing Piroe and James in attack, with Roberts coming on at full back. Winning more possession than when they were facing 11, it took five minutes for the substitutes to make their mark on the game, with Roberts squaring for Bamford to score into a virtually open goal with Nicholls left stranded after guarding his near post.

Having performed excellently despite being under the weather in the week, Brodie Spencer followed up a first half of marking Summerville with a second facing off against Dan James, tracking back excellently moments before being substituted to slide in and win the ball back in one fluid moment with the Welshman unable to beat him for pace. Leaving the field alongside Delano Burgzorg, the pair were replaced by the returning Jaheim Headley and Josh Koroma, who took his place leading the Town line.

Stretched in open play the longer the contest went on, Town’s spirit was never under question in either defence or attack. Racing forward when possible and putting men behind the ball when needed, the commitment was recognised and celebrated by the home support, who stuck with their side all afternoon. An effort typified by Tom Lees, the veteran defender was still making last ditch challenges well into the dying moments, with his performance and leadership at the back in the absence of Hogg a real asset.

A richly deserved point, the reaction from the supporters at full-time told its own story after their Terriers left it all on the field at the John Smith’s Stadium.

TOWN’S TEAM (4-1-4-1)

Lee Nicholls; Brodie Spencer (Jaheim Headley 72'), Matty Pearson, Tom Lees, Yuta Nakayama (Michał Helik 26'); Jonathan Hogg (C); Sorba Thomas, David Kasumu, Jack Rudoni, Delano Burgzorg (Josh Koroma 72'); Danny Ward (Alex Matos 46')

UNUSED SUBSTITUTES

Chris Maxwell; Bojan Radulovic, Brahima Diarra, Tom Edwards, Ben Wiles

TOWN GOAL

Michał Helik 45+1'

TOWN CARDS

Jonathan Hogg 20', 45+5' (RED), David Kasumu 38', Matty Pearson 39', Jaheim Headley 90_4'

GATE

22,351 (2,270)

We welcome West Bromwich Albion to the John Smith’s Stadium at noon on Sunday 10 March 2024, and you can CLICK HERE to join us in HD1 to get behind André and the lads!

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Standings

Huddersfield Town vs Leeds United - Highlights - Sat 2nd March 2024

Huddersfield Town vs Leeds United - Extended highlights - Sat 2nd March 2024

Huddersfield Town vs Leeds United - Replay - Sat 2nd March 2024