Everything you need to know ahead of Wednesday’s game
- Birmingham City vs Huddersfield Town preview
- A look at the Blues’ key men
- Watch the game on iFollow HTAFC
Huddersfield Town are back in Sky Bet Championship action with a trip to the St. Andrew's Trillion Trophy Stadium to face Birmingham City on Wednesday 28 October 2020; 7.45pm kick-off.
The Terriers will be looking to bounce back from Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Preston North End that called a halt to a four-game unbeaten run in the league.
Carlos Corberán’s side go into the clash in the Midlands having taken four points from a possible six in the last two outings away from the John Smith’s Stadium, following a win over Swansea and a draw with Rotherham United either side of the October international break.
Wednesday night’s match is the first of two games on the road for the Terriers this week, with a trip to Millwall to follow at the weekend.
THE OPPOSITION
Like Town, Birmingham are also in their first season with a new Spanish Head Coach, having appointed Aitor Karanka to the post in the summer.
The Spaniard has overseen a robust start to the campaign from his Blues side, who have taken seven points from the opening seven games.
Despite an opening day victory over Brentford their only win of the campaign so far, the Blues have been a difficult team to beat in the opening weeks of the campaign, losing just two of their opening seven games, whilst keeping three clean sheets.
They are also yet to concede more than once in a game so far this season, which has been a major improvement on their form at the back last term that saw them ship the fourth highest amount of goals in the Sky Bet Championship in 2019/20 (75).
FORM GUIDE
The Blues go into Wednesday’s encounter having picked up their first point since the international break with a goalless draw at QPR on Saturday.
Back-to-back losses against Norwich City and Sheffield Wednesday had come since the return to the Club action, after the Blues had gone into the break unbeaten in their first four matches of the campaign.
As for Town, the Terriers will be looking to get back to winning ways during the midweek trip to the Midlands after Saturday’s defeat to Preston North End snapped a four-game unbeaten streak in the Sky Bet Championship.
Carlos Corberán’s side will arrive at St. Andrew’s off the back of a week that saw them pick up six points from a possible nine, with wins over Swansea City and Derby County in the days after the international break, prior to that loss to the Lilywhites at the weekend.
ONES TO WATCH
Harlee Dean
The 29-year-old has enjoyed a solid start to the campaign at the back for the Blues, playing every minute in the league so far this season. Playing in the central ‘sweeper’ role in a back three, Birmingham’s no.12 has continued to assert his presence in his own box, winning an average of 5.4 aerial duels per game, and thus has made a key contribution to the Blues’ league-high 60.9% aerial success so far this season. Dean has been integral to his team’s three league clean sheets in the opening weeks of the campaign as well as being an asset at the other end, getting on target in the recent draw at Stoke City.
Iván Sánchez
The Spaniard has enjoyed a successful start to life in England having been one of Aitor Karanka’s 12 summer recruits, making the move to St. Andrew’s after his contract at Spanish side Elche had expired. Featuring primarily as a right-winger, Sánchez is also a set piece threat with both of his Sky Bet Championship assists this season coming from corners. The 28-year-old’s impressive beginning to his career in English football was rewarded with a place in the Sky Bet Championship Team of the Month for September.
Jérémie Bela
Off the back of a promising first season in the blue shirt, the winger has made a good start to his second campaign at St Andrew’s. Having scored the winner in the team’s only victory of the campaign so far against Brentford, Bela was on target again against Rotherham United, earning the Blues a point against the Millers with a stoppage time penalty. The Angolan is Birmingham’s top scorer so far this season with his two goals, both coming on home soil at St. Andrew’s.
PREVIOUS ENCOUNTERS
It’s the Terriers who have edged the record against the Blues over the years, winning 42 of the 113 encounters to Birmingham’s 38, with the other 33 being drawn.
Recent history in the fixture has gone in Town’s favour, with only one defeat for the Terriers in the last nine meetings dating back to March 2015.
That features gaining four points from a possible six in the two meetings last season, including a 3-0 win at St Andrew’s in our last meeting with the Blues, back in July.
ACTION ELSEWHERE
Our trip to the Midlands is one of 12 games across the Sky Bet Championship to be played in midweek. Here’s the full list of fixtures (all kick-offs are 7.45pm BST unless stated)…
Tuesday 27 October 2020
Barnsley vs Queens Park Rangers (7pm BST)
Blackburn Rovers vs Reading
Brentford vs Norwich City
Middlesbrough vs Coventry City
Swansea City vs Stoke City
Wycombe Wanderers vs Watford
Wednesday 28 October 2020
Preston North End vs Millwall (7pm BST)
Birmingham City vs Huddersfield Town
AFC Bournemouth vs Bristol City
Derby County vs Cardiff City
Luton Town vs Nottingham Forest
Rotherham United vs Sheffield Wednesday
TEAM NEWS
Carlos Corberán will provide an update on his side ahead of Wednesday’s game during his virtual press conference on Tuesday 27 October 2020.
The Terriers will definitely be without Naby Sarr (suspended) and Álex Vallejo (quarantine) for the trip to St. Andrew’s.
KIT
Town will be back in the red away kit for the midweek trip to the Midlands – 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!