A comprehensive look at our away trip to the bet365 Stadium as Town take on Stoke City
- Stoke City vs Huddersfield Town
- Monday 1 April 2024; 3pm
- Preview of Sky Bet Championship fixture
Making the trip to Staffordshire on the first day of April, André Breitenreiter's Town will be keen to walk away with all three points as we enter the final stages of the 2023/24 season.
With two games in quick succession, the Terriers will be looking to climb out of the bottom three this Easter weekend as we make the short trip to the bet365 Stadium to take on Stoke City.
THE OPPOSITION
Sitting 17th in the Sky Bet Championship table - just four points ahead of the Terriers - Stoke have struggled to gain momentum since the appointment of their new Manager. So far winning six of Schumacher's 17 games in charge, the Potters have missed out on 30 points since he took charge in December.
Finishing 16th in the league last season, the Staffordshire outfit will be keen to avoid the drop this year and will be looking to secure their safety as we approach the final day of the 2023/24 campaign.
THEIR MANAGER
Initially starting the 2023/24 campaign in Devon with Plymouth Argyle, Steven Schumacher was appointed Manager of Stoke City last December.
Having spent four years at Home Park - first as Assistant Manager to Ryan Lowe in 2019, before becoming his successor in December 2021 - Schumacher helped his former side back to the Sky Bet Championship last season, as they claimed the title in League One.
Prior to his time on the South Coast, the former midfielder enjoyed spells at Crewe Alexandra, Fleetwood Town, Stevenage, and Southport, but ultimately spent the majority of his career up north with Bury and Bradford City.
LAST TIME OUT
It was the Potters who walked away victorious on Good Friday, as they put two past Hull City in Humberside. With Josh Laurent scoring from a corner in the 69th minute, it was Ki-Jana Hoever who eventually put the game to bed during extra time.
Enjoying just 37% possession at the MKM Stadium, it was Stoke who took advantage of their shots in the final third to take all three points back to Staffordshire.
Previous Starting XI (4-4-2): Iversen; Stevens, Rose, McNally, Hoever; Hakšabanović, Thompson, Cundle, Léris; Mmaee, Laurent
FORMATION
Recently favouring a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 formation, the Potters have experimented with eight different formations since the first game of the season. However, since Schumacher's arrival in December, Stoke have deviated on just three occasions from the two aforementioned styles of play - these all being in their last three fixtures.
Opting for a 3-4-3 against Preston North End and a 4-4-2 against Hull City, their recent changes in structure has only seen them unsuccessful on one occasion - suffering a 3-0 loss against Norwich City when playing 3-5-2.
WHO TO WATCH
Josh Laurent
Despite being sidelined as a result of injury earlier this year, Laurent has played 30 games for the Potters this season, so far assisting once and also scoring in his last appearance against Hull City on Good Friday.
Named club captain by former Stoke boss Alex Neil ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, the 28-year-old midfielder joined Stoke in June 2022 on a three-year contract.
Ki-Jana Hoever
A product of the Liverpool Academy, the Dutch defender has missed only five games for Stoke City so far this season, scoring twice and assisting twice.
Starting in the Potter's last five fixtures, the 22-year-old will be looking to finish his current campaign strong before returning to his parent club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, at the end of May.
Luke McNally
Recently returning from injury, the Irish defender is currently on loan from Premier League side Burnley until the end of Stoke's current campaign - scoring twice and assisting once in over 30 games for the Potters.
Last season, the 24-year-old was also on loan at high-flying Coventry City, playing the full 120 minutes of the play-off final before his side ultimately lost the penalty shoot-out and missed out on promotion to the top flight.
TOWN TEAM NEWS
Head Coach André Breitenreiter spoke to the press ahead of our Easter weekend fixtures on Wednesday 27 March. You can watch the full press conference back below or via THIS LINK.
KIT
The Terriers will be back in their black kit this weekend - and there's currently 30% off the replica kit in store and online! CLICK HERE to get yours today!
iFOLLOW HTAFC
Audio Match Passes for this fixture are available at £2.50 each, giving supporters who are unable to join us on the day full live coverage of the game. CLICK HERE to book yours!
