Sports
Match Preview – Huddersfield Town vs Middlesbrough: Wilder hunts for first win as Boro face difficult away trip against Huddersfield
Chris Wilder is still winless as new Boro manager and will be desperate to end his sides poor form against Huddersfield, after their 2-1 loss at home to Preston on Tuesday night.
Middlesbrough are without a win in their last five and travel to West Yorkshire on Saturday afternoon to take on 8th place Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Five points separate the sides as the visitors search for three points to try and kickstart their season under new manager Wilder.
Both teams will be looking to get back to winning ways after their midweek defeats – The Terriers lost 1-0 away to QPR on Wednesday.
The home side are just three points adrift of the play-off places and will hope that they can secure the three points come 3:00pm and cement their push towards the top six.
The John Smith’s Stadium has been a fortress to Huddersfield this campaign who have collected 13 points from a possible 15 in their last five home fixtures – keeping a clean sheet on four occasions
Credit: @HTAFC instagram – The John Smith’s stadium has been kind to the home side this season…
However, Corberan’s side have failed to win back-to-back league games since the end of August, with their most recent attempt being at Loftus Road on Wednesday evening where QPR came out winners.
The 1-0 defeat was unsurprising given their poor away record and the side from West Yorkshire were left frustrated by conceding a late goal.
They will be hoping for a routine victory tomorrow afternoon against a struggling Middlesbrough side who have lost their direction following a string of frustrating fixtures.
Boro Boss Wilder would have wanted to start his reign with at least four points from his opening two games in charge. However, after a home draw with Millwall and late defeat against Preston North End at the Riverside he has started slowly.
Middlesbrough are yet to burst into action this campaign and the Teesiders are stuck at a crossroads in 15th place with the margin to both the play-offs and relegation zone sitting at eight points.
Wilder will be expecting a reaction from his players in West Yorkshire on Saturday.
The visitors have one of the more disappointing away records in the Championship but may be pleased with their recent run in unfamiliar territory as they have picked up four points in their last three games on the road.
Head-to-head
The two sides have faced off on 96 previous occasions. Middlesbrough have the superior record with 43 wins under their belt. Huddersfield have been victorious on 33 occasions with 20 games ending in a draw.
The most recent clash between the two saw Middlesbrough claim a 2-1 victory at the Riverside last season thanks to goals from Duncan Watmore and Ashley Fletcher.
The game on Saturday is likely to be a tasty affair with the bookies tipping a home victory for the Terriers.
Form
HTAFC – L W D L W L
BORO – W L L D D L
The Championship table as it stands…
Team News
Boro have four players missing for the fixture with Huddersfield on Saturday. Dael Fry and Marcus Browne remain out until 2022 with substantial leg and ACL injuries respectively.
Darnell Fisher and Sammy Ameobi are also unavailable due to injury as the Teesiders have no suspended players ahead of the trip to West Yorkshire.
Duncan Watmore and Andraz Sporar may be rested as the pair underwent late fitness tests during the week. Uche Ikpeaszu could be given an opportunity from the start.
Josh Coburn is another contender to make it in the starting eleven as an attacking option.
For Huddersfield, six players are set to miss out with injuries. Duane Holmes (muscle), Jonathan Hogg (knee). Aaron Rowe (broken toe), Alex Vallejo (knee), Pipa (hip) and Jordan Rhodes (back) have all been ruled out.
Corberan is likely to make a number of changes from the squad who lost 1-0 to QPR in midweek. Frazier Campbell may play ahead of fellow striker Danny Ward, with Ademipo Odubeko expected to remain on the bench.
Goalkeeper Lee Nicholls was man-of-the-match in the last game, despite his side falling to a late defeat and will hope to bring his form into this one and make it five clean sheets in a row at home.
Potential Line-ups
Middlesbrough (3-5-2):
Luke Daniels (GK)
Lee Peltier, Souleymane Bamba, Paddy McNair (CB’s)
Marc Bola (LM), Matt Crooks (CM), Marcus Tavernier (CAM), Jonny Howson (CM), Isiah Jones (RM)
Uche Ikpeazu, Andraz Sporar (ST’s)
Huddersfield Town (3-4-3):
Lee Nicholls (GK)
Matty Pearson, Tom Lees, Levi Colwill (CB’s)
Harry Toffolo (LM), Scott High (CM), Lewis O’Brien (CM), Sorba Thomas (RM)
Danel Sinani (CAM), Danny Ward (ST), Josh Koroma (CAM)
Pre-match thoughts? Can Wilder get his first win as Boro manager?
Join in the conversation and have your say…
Newcastle United boss wants to extend the contracts of two players before losing them.
Eddie Howe has expressed in a recent fan Q&A his intentions to keep two out of contract players this summer, Loris Karius and Paul Dummett, according to the Athletic’s Chris Waugh, with both players current contracts set to end this summer.
6 players are currently set to become out of contract come June 1st, Loris Karius, Paul Dummet, Mark Gillespie, Matt Ritchie, Matty Longstaff and Ciaran Clark. However, it is only Karius and Dummett that appear to be safe of getting the chop.
Loris Karius has spent this season as Newcastle United’s third choice keeper, with only one appearance coming in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Carabao Cup Final. Despite the loss, Karius did little wrong and contributed some wonderful saves late on in that game.
Paul Dummett has had the same treatment, with only one appearance coming his way, a Carabao Cup tie in the second round against Tranmere Rovers back in August. The 31-year-old Welshman is an experienced head and will no doubt have great respect within the dressing room having signed for the club back in 2012 making 205 appearances in that time.
Both players can expect new contracts from Eddie Howe as he has made it known that he wants them both to remain at the club next season.
Who would you want to remain at the club from the current out of contract list – let us know on our social media and follow us for latest North East Updates –https://linktr.ee/northeastupdates
10 players Eddie Howe could look towards with contracts expiring at the end of this season.
The free agent’s market is the absolute cheat code for clubs across the board, being able to avoid the rising transfer fees and getting players through the door through verbal agreements makes life much easier for clubs during the transfer window.
We have compiled a list of 10 free transfers NUFC could sign this summer from Europe’s top five leagues giving them a rating of the potential of them signing and the impact they would have.
- Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)
The 29-year-old full back has his contract expiring this summer and with NUFC already being hinted at as his potential new club, this one is worth keeping an eye on over the next few months. He would slot straight in at left-back to have healthy competition for fan favourite Dan Burn and add a burst of class and pace to that left hand side. The Portugal international already has an impressive CV and would be looking to show that off to the St. James faithful.
Potential – A
Impact – A
- Yerry Mina (Everton)
With Everton potentially facing the drop this season, a jump from Merseyside to Newcastle could suit the centre back to a T. The 28-year-old Columbian international would add to NUFC’s already in form back line and bring some South American heat as they look to progress further next season. Mina possesses dominance, aggression, and a great ariel threat and would be a top addition to the magpies this summer.
Potential – B
Impact – A
- Jonathan Bamba (Lille)
An explosive winger who made his name known as Lille snatched the league title in 2021 in France, the 26-year-old is still yet to receive a contract extension from the club and could be looking elsewhere in the summer. Adding pace, flair, and drive to an already exciting front three for NUFC could be what fans need going into next season.
Potential – C
Impact – A
- Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)
Reportedly being close to leaving in the summer window of 2022, Youri Tielemans would be a fine addition to NUFC’s midfield being able to operate in a slightly deeper role to allow Bruno to push further up the field and do what he does best. The 25-year-old has his contract expiring this summer and with him and James Maddison already being linked to the club, this transfer seems to make so much more sense and would add heaps of quality to the centre of the field.
Potential – B
Impact – A
- Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
Drive, power, and flair are the 3 best words to describe Crystal Palace star man Wilfried Zaha. The 30-year-old could be looking to depart his beloved club in the hope for European football next season and NUFC could be just the place for him. Being able to operate either on the left or down the middle, Zaha would thrive under Eddie Howe and be a fantastic addition to the front line.
Potential – B
Impact – A
A Sunderland football player on loan to Lincoln FC has had his loan terminated after he was charged with rape.
Jack Diamond, 23, had been arrested after a sexual assault in Washington, Tyne and Wear, last year.
Northumbria Police launched an investigation, but have now charged him with one count of rape and one count of sexual assault.
Lincoln City FC said the player’s loan contract had been terminated “with immediate effect”.
His home club, Sunderland AFC, said he had been suspended pending the outcome of legal proceedings.
In a statement, it said: “Sunderland AFC has been notified that criminal charges have been brought against Jack Diamond by the Crown Prosecution Service.”
“As this matter is subject to a legal process, the club will not be making any further statement at this time”.
The incident is alleged to have happened in May last year.
Mr Diamond, of Fatfield, also Washington, is due to appear before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in May.
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