Huddersfield Town will play at the John Smith’s Stadium for the third time in a week as it welcomes Southampton.
David Wagner’s side will look to build on its superb start to the 2017/18 Premier League campaign following wins over both Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.
After back-to-back wins Town could become only the second club to win its first three Premier League fixtures; Coventry City was the first in the Premier League’s inaugural season.
The Terriers are also only the second promoted side to keep a clean sheet in each of its two opening games, matching Charlton Athletic in 1997/98, who did it three games in a row.
THE OPPONENT
Seven years later and two leagues higher since the two sides last met on 28 December 2010 in League 1, Huddersfield Town welcomes Southampton to the John Smith’s Stadium.
The Saints were promoted that season finishing second, five points ahead of third place Huddersfield Town. That season was a catalyst for success at St. Mary’s as the Club achieved back-to-back promotion and was playing Premier League football during the 2012/13 season.
After finishing 14th in its first top flight campaign for eight years the Saints established themselves in the Premier League, finishing no lower than eighth over the last four seasons.
During the 2016/17 campaign, under the guidance of Claude Puel, Southampton ended the season in eighth with 46 points from 38 games; 17 points less than the previous season.
That sparked a desire for change at the South Coast Club and Puel was replaced by Mauricio Pellegrino (above), the former Alavés Manager.
After an opening day 0-0 draw with Swansea City, Pellegrino’s men beat West Ham United 3-2 at St. Mary’s. This weekend’s match will be the Club’s first away from home this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Goalkeeper and England international Fraser Forster was ever present for Southampton last season and has started all three games this year. In the Premier League, he has kept 34 clean sheets in 88 matches.
Creative midfielder Dušan Tadić (below) has been one of Southampton’s stand out players over the last couple of years. The attacking midfielder is the main outlet for the Saints going forwards and has 24 assists and 15 goals to his name.
After joining for a then-Club record fee of £14m from Napoli, Manolo Gabbiadini has impressed in the Premier League. The striker has scored five goals in 13 Premier League games, including one against West Ham last week.
NEW SIGNINGS
Mauricio Pellegrino has only brought four new faces to the Club since being named as Southampton’s Manager this summer.
Most recently, defender Wesley Hoedt joined from Lazio for a reported fee of £15m. The 23 year-old has been capped four times by the Netherlands and started 23 games in Serie A last season.
New Club record signing Mario Lemina (above), also 23, signed from Juventus in the summer. The box-to-box midfielder made his Southampton debut against West Ham United last weekend.
The Saints also signed 21 year-old defender Jan Bednarek from Lech Poznań and young ‘keeper Jack Rose from West Brom.
SOUTHAMPTON’S LAST STARTING XI (4-2-3-1):
GK: Fraser Forster
DL: Ryan Bertrand
DC: Maya Yoshida
DC: Jack Stephens
DR: Cédric Soares
CM: Mario Lemina
CM: Oriol Romeu
AML: Nathan Redmond
AMC: Steve Davis
AMR: Dušan Tadić
FW: Manolo Gabbiadini
TEAM NEWS – SOUTHAMPTON
New signing Wesley Hoedt could make his debut for the Saints this weekend against Huddersfield Town. Mauricio Pellegrino has a fully fit squad to select from.
TEAM NEWS - TOWN
Huddersfield Town will be without the services of Jonathan Hogg and Nahki Wells who are both out with ankle injuries.
Defender Martin Cranie is also unavailable with a hip flexor issue, whilst Jon Gorenc Stanković will be out until Christmas after suffering an ACL injury last season.
TICKET INFORMATION
There’s fewer than 700 tickets remaining for Huddersfield Town’s match against Southampton at the John Smith’s Stadium; click here to buy!
Some tickets may still be available through the Terrier Exchange system. Click here to see if any tickets are available.
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