A full in-depth preview of Huddersfield Town’s next Sky Bet Championship opposition
- Sheffield Wednesday vs Huddersfield Town
- Saturday 7 October 2023, 3pm kick-off
- An in depth look at what can be expected from our next opponents
First contested in September 1926, there have been 63 official meetings between Huddersfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday to date, with the Terriers 27 victories in that time giving us the historical edge.
With the 64th and latest meeting scheduled this Saturday 7 October at Hillsborough, it’s the first time the Club’s have met since the very beginning of the 2021/22 campaign, with Town winning a Carabao Cup tie on penalties thanks to some Lee Nicholls heroics in the shootout.
Between a sold out Town away end and the first meeting between our Manager Darren Moore and his former side after they parted ways in the summer, there aren’t a shortage of stories heading into Saturday’s derby.
THE OPPOSITION
Just over 24 miles separate the John Smith’s Stadium and Hillsborough, with Town and Wednesday enjoying an intense Yorkshire rivalry over the years. Play-Off encounters have only added to these occasions, with the penalty shootout win back in 2017 for the Terriers across Penistone in Sheffield living long in the memory.
Seven years on, much has changed. Coming close to their own Premier League promotion but missing out at the final hurdle, Wednesday were then relegated from the Sky Bet Championship at the end of the 2020/21 campaign, spending two seasons in Sky Bet League One before coming back up in dramatic fashion via the Play-Offs under current Town Manager Darren Moore.
THEIR MANAGER
Joining as Head Coach in July 2023, the Spanish Head Coach has previously spent time in charge of Pobla Mafumet, Dinamo Tblisi, Watford, Huesca, and Anorthosis before landing in South Yorkshire.
Still a younger coach at 43, Munoz enjoyed a decorated playing career before hanging his boots up to move onto the touchline. Still looking for his first competitive win as Wednesday boss in the Sky Bet Championship with two draws and eight losses in his opening 10 league games, Munoz’ only win to date came in the First Round of the Carabao Cup on penalties against Stockport County at Hillsborough.
Update: Since the match preview was published, Sheffield Wednesday and Xisco Munoz have parted company.
LAST TIME OUT
Wednesday were also in action in the Midlands in midweek, travelling to the Hawthorns to face West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday 3 October. An early goal from John Swift was ultimately the difference, with Munoz’ side unable to level.
Previous Starting XI: Vasquez; Famewo, Bernard, Iorfa, Palmer; Musaba, Vaulks, Bakinson, Delgado; Fletcher, Smith (4-4-2)
FORMATION
Changing between different shapes, the Owls have experimented with five different systems in their opening 10 Sky Bet Championship fixtures of the season.
Opening the campaign in a 4-2-3-1, they moved away from four at the back for the following six matches, adjusting between a 5-4-1, 3-4-2-1 and 3-4-3, with both of their draws coming whilst within these shapes. Returning to a four at the back against West Brom on Tuesday evening, they operated with a traditional 4-4-2 as they played with two recognised centre forwards.
Having shown the ability to adjust between shapes, how they line-up against Town may depend on the fitness of Barry Bannan and Josh Windass, who have been missing in recent weeks.
WHO TO WATCH
Juan Delgado
Chilean winger Delgado made the move to Wednesday from Portuguese club Paços Ferreira in the summer, scoring once in 10 appearances so far. A regular starter, he has operated as both wing back and within a front three, hugging the touchline and using his pace and trickery to give his side an outlet when needed. With a career spanning South and Central America before moving to Europe, he has played over 300 career games, with 15 caps for his country and one international goal.
Ashley Fletcher
Signed on loan in the summer from fellow Sky Bet Championship side Watford, the forward may still be looking for his first goal of the season, but that doesn’t remove from his other uses in the final third. A focal point of attacks thanks to his size, Fletcher has been able to bring others into play around him and unsettle defences with his work rate and movement. 23 goals and 12 assists in 144 games at this level to date doesn’t tell the full story, with a goal against Town in 2021 for Middlesbrough enough of a warning that he can be dangerous if allowed to the opportunity.
Anthony Musaba
Dutch winger Musaba joined Wednesday on a free transfer from Monaco in the summer of 2023, playing predominantly from the right wing despite being comfortable with either foot. Already off the mark having scored against Middlesbrough in their 1-1 draw, he also netted in the Second Round of the Carabao Cup against Mansfield before losing on penalties. Installing himself as a go-to option in the final third for Wednesday, his guile on the wing causes issues in wide areas for defences, and is definitely one of their most dangerous players.
TOWN TEAM NEWS
Town Manager Darren Moore is due to speak to the press in the afternoon of Thursday 5 October 2023 from the Millers Oils High Performance Complex, so supporters can look to HTTV and HTAFC Sounds for full coverage of his comments!
KIT
We our back in our Acid Lime away kit for Saturday’s trip to Hillsborough!
CLICK HERE to make one your own before our trip past Penistone this weekend.
TICKET NEWS
Having sold out our initial allocation, further tickets have been made available for sale. CLICK HERE for full ticket information, and thank you for your incredible support!
iFOLLOW HTAFC
Supporters will be able to listen along live to the game at Hillsborough with iFollow HTAFC!
CLICK HERE to purchase your match pass and keep up-to-date with every kick.
