MX23RW : Monday, April 29 23:51:17| >> :120:42375:42375:
[monks data]
Huddersfield logo
Championship | Gameweek 44
May 4, 2023 at 7.45pm UK
The John Smith's Stadium
Sheffield United logo

Huddersfield
1 - 0
Sheff Utd

Ward (59')
Rudoni (85')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Egan (22'), Doyle (90+1')

Preview: Huddersfield Town vs. Sheffield United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Championship clash between Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Huddersfield Town play host to Sheffield United on Thursday evening knowing that a draw will be enough to secure their survival in the Championship.

At a time when the Terriers are scrapping for their second-tier status, the visitors to the John Smith's Stadium are second in the standings and have already earned promotion to the Premier League.


Match preview

Huddersfield Town manager Neil Warnock reacts on February 18, 2023© Reuters

When Neil Warnock was handed the chance to return to his former club having previously retired from management, many scoffed at the appointment, and that came with justification with the veteran boss having been out of the game for 15 months.

However, the decision to bring Warnock back to Huddersfield after a 28-year absence has proven inspired with 19 points being collected from 14 matches.

Also helped by points deductions at two of their rivals, Sunday's 2-1 victory at Cardiff City has left the Terriers three points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand.

While Huddersfield will avoid relegation to League One if they avoid defeat, they have the pressure of a last-season clash with 22nd-placed Reading hanging over them, the scenario being that two defeats will send them down.

Having only suffered one defeat in six games - a 1-0 loss at in-form Swansea City - Warnock will prefer to focus on the present, and extending a four-match undefeated streak at the John Smith's Stadium will be enough to cement what has been a fairytale reunion up until now.

Sheffield United's players celebrate promotion to the Premier League after the match on April 26, 2023© Reuters

From the perspective of Sheffield United, they are already looking forward to another year in the Premier League after coasting to automatic promotion alongside Burnley.

Although 10 points adrift with a game in hand, the Blades have been by far a cut above the best of the rest, and they are currently on a run of seven wins from eight games in the Championship.

The 4-1 demolition of Preston North End at the weekend showed that Paul Heckingbottom and his squad are keen to maintain their momentum, as well as respect the situations at the top and bottom of the table.

With just 30 miles separating these clubs, Yorkshire pride is also at stake, yet Heckingbottom may be focused on improving on an away run which has seen Sheffield United lose three of their last six away games, scoring just six times in the process.

Huddersfield Town Championship form:

Sheffield United Championship form:


Sheffield United form (all competitions):



Team News

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom on April 7, 2023© Reuters

Joseph Hungbo will feel that he has played himself into contention for a Huddersfield recall after netting an important goal as a substitute at Cardiff.

However, Brahima Diarra may keep his place in an attacking-midfield role, Warnock admitting that changing the two players at half time in South Wales had been "brave".

Barring any further issues, the rest of the Huddersfield team should stay the same, with goalkeeper Lee Nicholls proving his fitness on his return from injury at the weekend.

Heckingbottom rotated his Sheffield United XI on Saturday, and that will likely occur on Thursday with the big names that missed out on Saturday returning to the team.

John Egan, Sander Berge and Oli McBurnie should all take their places in the starting lineup, as may Daniel Jebbison after the impact that he made as a substitute versus Preston.

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Nicholls; Pearson, Lees, Helik, Ruffels; Hogg, Rudoni; Koroma, Diarra, Headley; Ward

Sheffield United possible starting lineup:
Foderingham; Ahmedhodzic, Egan, Robinson; Bogle, McAtee, Norwood, Berge, Lowe; Jebbison, McBurnie


SM words green background

We say: Huddersfield Town 1-2 Sheffield United

Given their contrasting situations, many will back Huddersfield to do what is required to get over the line. However, this is a Yorkshire derby where pride is at stake, and we expect a Sheffield United side playing with more freedom to have too much quality in the final third for the Terriers.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:512865:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect11481:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Huddersfield vs Sheff Utd

Huddersfield Town
14.1%
Draw
18.8%
Sheffield United
67.2%
64
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Wigan Athletic manager Shaun Maloney before the match on March 11, 2023
Read Next:
This weekend's Championship permutations: Three teams facing possible relegation
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CLeicester CityLeicester453141089395097
2Leeds UnitedLeeds45279980413990
3Ipswich TownIpswich442612688563290
4Southampton452591185622384
5Norwich CityNorwich4521101479631673
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom4520121367472072
7Hull City451913136859970
8Middlesbrough45199176861766
9Coventry CityCoventry4417131468551364
10Preston North EndPreston45189185664-863
11Bristol City451711175347662
12Cardiff CityCardiff45195215165-1462
13Swansea CitySwansea451512185964-557
14Watford451317156058256
15Sunderland45168215252056
16Millwall451511194455-1156
17Queens Park RangersQPR451411204557-1253
18Stoke CityStoke451411204560-1553
19Blackburn RoversBlackburn451311215874-1650
20Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds45148234268-2650
21Plymouth ArgylePlymouth451212215870-1248
22Birmingham CityBirmingham451211224965-1647
23Huddersfield TownHuddersfield45918184875-2745
RRotherham UnitedRotherham45412293287-5524


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!