Preview: Huddersfield Town vs. Swansea City - prediction, team news, lineups

Swansea City take on Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon knowing that victory could move the club into second place in the Championship standings.

While the Welsh side have put together a nine-match unbeaten streak in the second tier, their opponents have failed to win any of their last eight league fixtures.

Match preview

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Steve Cooper would have been relatively disappointed with how his Swansea players matched up against Nottingham Forest in midweek, particularly due to having defeated the same opponents 5-1 in the FA Cup a few weeks ago.

However, getting another three points on the board was all that mattered, and Connor Roberts's late goal has kept the Swans in the hunt for the title.

Swansea remain as many people's outsiders with Cooper's team having been the least productive in attack of the teams in the top six.

Nevertheless, Wednesday night's clean sheet was Swansea's 16th of the season, a remarkable effort when having to contend with a more condensed schedule than usual.

Despite putting together a contrasting run of form in comparison to Huddersfield, Cooper will be the first to stress that the Terriers cannot be regarded as easy touches.

Carlos Corberan's team have scored in five consecutive games, although they failed to build on netting early goals against Stoke City, Wycombe Wanderers and Middlesbrough.

Letting slip a two-goal advantage against bottom-of-the-table outfit Wycombe could have long-term ramifications with Huddersfield now regarded as contenders for relegation.

While they still hold a five-point cushion over the chasing pack, Corberan is aware that his position in the dugout will be in doubt unless he can move his team away from the bottom three.

Isaac Mbenza has scored in successive outings for the first time this season, ending a period of 10 outings without finding the back of the net, but his evening was cut short against Middlesbrough due to injury.

Huddersfield Town Championship form: LLDDLL

Swansea City Championship form: WWDWWW Swansea City form (all competitions): WDWWLW

Team News

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Mbenza has been ruled out for Huddersfield, likely resulting in Alex Vallejo being brought into midfield and Alex Pritchard being used further forward.

However, Harry Toffolo remains absent for the Terriers due to suspension, putting Aaron Rowe in contention for an opportunity at left wing-back if Corberan switches to a back three.

Richard Stearman could also be drafted in as a replacement for Richard Keogh in the middle of the backline.

American pair Jordan Morris and Paul Arriola are both pushing for their first starts for Swansea after arriving at the Liberty Stadium in January.

However, Ben Cabango and Yan Dhanda are more likely to come into the team if Cooper opts to introduce fresh legs for this game.

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup: Schofield; Pipa, Stearman, Sarr, O'Brien; Vallejo, Hogg, Bacuna; Holmes, Campbell, Pritchard

Swansea City possible starting lineup: Woodman; Bennett, Guehi, Cabango; Roberts, Fulton, Grimes, Bidwell; Dhanda; Ayew, Lowe

We say: Huddersfield Town 1-2 Swansea City

Despite the contrasting form of the two clubs, we still expect a competitive encounter at the John Smith's Stadium. Nevertheless, the visitors know what it takes to get over the line when required, a trait that we think they will show in the closing stages.