All you need to know ahead of Saturday’s game
- A preview of Huddersfield Town’s game against QPR
- A look at Mark Warburton’s key men
- Watch the game live on iFollow HTAFC
Huddersfield Town return to home soil for the first of back-to-back home games on Saturday, hosting Queens Park Rangers at the John Smith’s Stadium.
After a disappointing night in Wales ended in defeat to Cardiff City on Tuesday, the Terriers will aim to return to the form that saw them defeat Middlesbrough in their last home fixture.
Similarly, Rangers will want to get more points on the board after falling to a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Bristol City in midweek; a game in which they felt they deserved more.
THE OPPOSITION
Former Brentford, Rangers and Nottingham Forest boss Mark Warburton took charge of the Hoops in May 2019 and steered his side to a 13th placed finish last season; 12 points from the Play-Offs and 10 above the relegation zone.
Their squad features a balance of players brought into the Club and Academy graduates, with 18 youngsters making their senior debuts in the last six years. The most notable player to progress through the ranks at the Club before earning a Premier League move was skilful attacking midfielder Ebere Eze, who now plays for Premier League Crystal Palace.
They will arrive in West Yorkshire just behind the Terriers in this season’s Sky Bet Championship table, having collected 17 points from the opening 15 games; one point fewer than Town.
Rangers did release some positive news this week, however, informing fans that they have purchased a site in Heston on which to build a new training ground that will host their First Team and Academy sides.
FORM GUIDE
They’ve lost a tough last two games by the same 2-1 score-line; one in a London derby at Brentford’s new ground before the home defeat to Bristol City in midweek.
Their last two games on the road have also ended in defeat, with their last away win coming at Derby County on 4 November thanks to a late Macauley Bonne effort.
Rangers do have three wins and a draw in their last seven games, securing three-point hauls against Rotherham United (3-2 home win), Derby County and Cardiff City (another 3-2 home victory).
Their record this season is nearly identical to Town’s. They have one fewer point, having scored one goal less and conceded the exact same number of goals!
ONES TO WATCH
Seny Dieng
26-year-old Swiss born goalkeeper Dieng joined Rangers back in 2017, having played for Red Star Zurich, Grasshoppers and FC Grenchen in his native land before a move to Germany and MSV Duisburg.
He subsequently worked his way up the league pyramid through a series of loans at Whitehawk, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Stevenage, Dundee and Doncaster Rovers, before finally making his first league start for QPR in September this season.
He hasn’t looked back, and manager Mark Warburton described him as ‘outstanding’ in his post-match press conference after the defeat to Bristol City in midweek.
Ilias Chair
Born in Belgium but capped by Morocco at youth level, 23-year-old Chair joined the Hoops from Lierse after a successful trial in January 2017.
A diminutive figure at 5’ 2” tall, he has become a pivotal figure under Warburton’s management, playing in a central attacking midfield position or off the left side.
Chair is very technically proficient and is one of the key men at getting the ball into the opposition box for Rangers. He offers quality delivery from both wings but is a danger in open play too – looking to get between the full back and centre back as they attack the left side.
He’s already netted four goals in 15 Championship appearances this term.
Bright Osayi-Samuel
22-year-old winger Osayi-Samuel is one of the league’s hottest commodities, being consistently linked away from Rangers – and he’s delivering on the pitch for his current club.
Born in Nigeria, he joined QPR from Blackpool in 2017 and is now a regular in the Championship. Although he can play on the left, he’s most frequently deployed on the right wing, and has already notched two goals and three assists this season.
Bristol City manager Dean Holden picked him out for his performance against them in midweek, whilst Mark Warburton says he is ‘destined for the Premier League’.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS
Games between the two sides in the past are evenly split, with 13 wins apiece and nine draws.
Town have had the edge over Rangers in the last few years, winning three of the last four games and drawing the other. Town’s last defeat against QPR came in August 2015, when Tjaronn Cherry scored a late winner at the John Smith’s Stadium.
The Terriers were victorious in the most recent game between the two sides, winning 2-0 at the JSS in February thanks to goals from Elias Kachunga and Steve Mounié.
ACTION ELSEWHERE
Friday 4 December 2020
Barnsley vs AFC Bournemouth, 5.30pm
Saturday 5 December 2020
Reading vs Nottingham Forest, 12.30pm
Brentford vs Blackburn Rovers, 3pm
Bristol City vs Birmingham City, 3pm
Coventry City vs Rotherham United, 3pm
Millwall vs Derby County, 3pm
Norwich City vs Sheffield Wednesday, 3pm
Preston North End vs Wycombe Wanderers, 3pm
Stoke City vs Middlesbrough, 3pm
Swansea City vs Luton Town, 3pm
Watford vs Cardiff City, 3pm
TEAM NEWS
Carlos Corberán will detail the Terriers’ latest team news ahead of the game during his virtual press conference later this week.
QPR have right back Todd Kane available again after he served a one-match suspension in midweek
Midfielder Geoff Cameron has missed the last two games due to a fatigue-related injury.
KIT
Town will be in the famous blue and white stripes on Saturday – click HERE to get yours!
HOW TO WATCH
With the game being played behind-closed-doors, Town Season Card holders will be able to watch the match for FREE on iFollow HTAFC.
If you aren’t a Season Card Holder, then you can purchase a match pass for £10!
