Everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship game
- Huddersfield Town vs Middlesbrough preview
- A look at Boro’s key men
- Watch the game on iFollow HTAFC
Huddersfield Town are back in Sky Bet Championship action at the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday 28 November 2020, hosting Middlesbrough in a 3pm kick-off.
Carlos Corberán’s side will be looking to secure three points from this weekend’s fixture after the midweek trip to Wycombe Wanderers ended in a draw but face a tough task against Neil Warnock’s high-flying Boro.
It is the first time Town return to home soil since the beginning of the month, prior to the international break.
THE OPPOSITION
Middlesbrough have had a good start to the 2020/21 campaign, currently sitting seventh in the league table, only two points adrift from the Play-Off places.
After finishing 17th in the table last season, the Teesside team have improved on their form and push once again for the Play-Offs.
Boro have a very robust record on the road so far this season having only been beaten once away from the Riverside on the opening day of the season against Watford, where they suffered a 1-0 defeat.
Former Town Manager Neil Warnock is only midway through his first full season in charge after being appointed in June 2020, but successfully steered the side away from the relegation zone and toward another season in the Championship.
FORM GUIDE
As mentioned earlier, the Terriers will be looking to get back to winning ways after the 0-0 draw against Wycombe in midweek.
Middlesbrough enter the game in great form, with only one defeat in the last 12 fixtures, which came at home to league leading Norwich City earlier this month.
Most notably, Boro boast the best defensive record in the Sky Bet Championship, having conceded just six goals from the opening 13 league games. They’ve scored 12 goals in that period, although three came in the last game; a comprehensive home win over Derby County.
ONES TO WATCH
Marcus Bettinelli
Summer recruit Marcus Bettinelli has made his mark on the first team having only signed for the club at the beginning of the 2020/21 campaign, yet already starting in every starting XI of the season.
With an impressive six clean sheets out of 11 games so far this season the goalkeeper has the more sheets than any other Championship keeper.
On a season-long loan from his boy-hood club Fulham Bettinelli is now Boro’s no.1.
George Saville
Northern Ireland international Saville has been a virtual ever-present for Boro in central midfield so far this season.
George joined the Club after an initial loan spell from Millwall in 2018/19 and has established his spot under Neil Warnock. He is currently joint top scorer for Boro with two goals and leads the assist charts with three.
He’s also been praised by local media for his key role in Middlesbrough’s pressing game.
Jonny Howson
Howson has played every minute of Sky Bet Championship football for Boro ahead of Saturday’s game.
He signed a new contract at the Club this week, running until 2022, at which point Neil Warnock described him as ‘the best midfielder in the league at the moment’.
Now 32 years old, Howson actually played at centre back and right back last season – including against Town – but has now returned to the birth that saw him earn a move to the Premier League in the past.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS
It’s the travelling side who go into the meeting with the better of the record in the fixture, winning 42 of the 94 competitive meetings to Town’s 32.
They’ve also had the edge in recent meetings too, losing just one of the last 16 games between the side dating back to March 1986.
This includes the last time the two sides met last Boxing Day when a travelling Town were beaten 1-0 at the Riverside.
ACTION ELSEWHERE
Saturday’s meeting with the Boro is one of 10 games this Saturday in the Sky Bet Championship.
Here’s the full list of fixtures to be played this weekend (all kick-offs 3pm unless stated) …
Friday 27 November
Brentford vs Queens Park Rangers (7.45pm)
Saturday 28 November
Reading vs Bristol City (12.30pm)
Birmingham City vs Millwall
Blackburn Rovers vs Barnsley
Cardiff City vs Luton Town
Derby County vs Wycombe Wanderers
Norwich City vs Coventry City
Rotherham United vs AFC Bournemouth
Sheffield Wednesday vs Stoke City
Watford vs Preston North End
Sunday 29 November
Nottingham Forest vs Swansea City (noon)
TEAM NEWS
Carlos Corberán will provide an update on his side ahead of Saturday’s game during his virtual press conference on Friday 27 November 2020.
KIT
Town will be back in the blue-and-white striped home kit 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!
To do this, you need to make sure your email addresses with the Club match-up, CLICK HERE for more information!
The match is also available on Sky Sports Football on the red button.
If you haven’t got Sky Sports and aren’t a Season Card Holder, then you can purchase a match pass for £10!
