Huddersfield Town play host to Rotherham United on Thursday evening looking for the win which could see the club move off the bottom of the Championship standings.
Meanwhile, 19th-placed Rotherham now sit just five point above their next opponents, a consequence of four matches without success.
Match preview
© Reuters
With Huddersfield spending so long in the bottom three and in last spot, there has been scope for the Huddersfield hierarchy making a decision to have a change of heart over Mark Fotheringham.
However, every so often, the Terriers are coming up with victories against the odds, the latest occasion occurring on Boxing Day as they came from behind to earn a 2-1 win at Preston North End.
Fotheringham now has 15 points from his 14 matches in charge, and although Huddersfield are still five points adrift of safety, a win on Thursday would catapult the club right back into the mix to avoid relegation.
Huddersfield have failed to score in their last three fixtures at the John Smith's Stadium, but it has now been 12 games since they conceded more than twice in a single game home or away.
That shows that foundations have been laid under Fotheringham, who will feel that a better return in the final third will lead to his side making headway up the table.
At one stage, it appeared that fellow Yorkshire side Rotherham would have different ambitions to a team who have gone from 2022 playoff finalists to favourites to be relegated.
However, the Millers have now won just once in 10 games, not helped by twice letting slip a lead versus Stoke City on Boxing Day before posting a 2-2 draw.
While Matt Taylor may have accepted a share of the spoils before the game, it was a disappointing outcome, and Rotherham have now conceded eight times in three outings.
With Huddersfield possessing the opportunity to move within two points of his side in the table, Taylor is well aware of the importance of this fixture, one which could make or break their campaign even at this relatively early stage.
Team News
© Reuters
Fotheringham will give consideration to naming the same Huddersfield XI, despite Brahima Diarra coming off the substitutes' bench to help instigate the turnaround at Preston.
If the 19-year-old was handed just a third start of the season, either Jack Rudoni or Duane Holmes would likely drop down to the substitutes' bench.
Etienne Camara may also be considered for a return to central midfield if Fotheringham wants to introduce fresh legs.
Meanwhile, Taylor will be forced into at least one change to his Rotherham side after Ben Wiles was a first-half withdrawal versus Stoke.
Jamie Lindsay should return in midfield, while Taylor must decide whether to stick with his current back three on the back of an individual error from Richard Wood and own goal from Lee Peltier.
Jamie McCart may come in for his first start of the campaign, while Shane Ferguson may be considered for a return at left wing-back.
Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Nicholls; Lees, Helik, Boyle; Hayden, Hogg, Kasumu, Ruffels; Rudoni, Holmes; Rhodes
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Peltier, McCart, Humphreys; Harding, Lindsay, Barlaser, Rathbone, Ferguson; Eaves, Ogbene
We say: Huddersfield Town 2-1 Rotherham United
Momentum can be everything in the Championship and Huddersfield are building some of that at a time when Rotherham have none. With that in mind, we expect a narrow victory for the home side, one which could prove massive in the context of their season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
