Carlos Corberan's men will be looking to address a rot of no wins in nine competitive games ahead of their clash against high-flyers Swansea City on Saturday afternoon. The Terriers face a schedule of difficult fixtures this month, with Derby County and Preston North End on their roster before taking on Birmingham City in West Yorkshire at the start of March.
Swansea are the visitors to the John Smith's, they are on a good run of form and are pushing for the automatic promotion spots this season. Just a point off second place and five off the top of the Sky Bet Championship, they could leap frog Brentford in second spot, if results go their way on the weekend. The Swans have a further game in hand which could prove to be pivotal, in chasing Norwich City in first place, just five points the difference between them and the Canaries.
Under manager Steve Cooper, Swansea have enjoyed playing in a tight but effective formation, unbeaten in their last 13 league games. With sights on the Premier League, Cooper's men will be looking to keep up their intensity and performance levels to achieve the results necessary for automatic promotion. Their last campaign in the top flight back in 2018 under manager Paul Clement who soon gave way for Carlos Carvalhal to follow in his foot steps.
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Team news
Corberan may be tempted to shuffle the pack but may stick with the services of Aaron Rowe and Kieran Phillips after their bright performances against Middlesbrough in midweek. The majority of the team picks itself in Town's continued injury crisis, with numerous personnel on the sidelines. Christopher Schindler, Carel Eiting, Rolando Aarons, Josh Koroma, Danny Ward and now Isaac Mbenza are all out of the Town squad this weekend. Harry Toffolo is ineligible as he continues his suspension following a straight red card against Luton Town.
Richard Stearman is a possible reinforcement at the heart of the backline following his recent hamstring injury as Corberan might turn to three at the back for the Terriers. Alex Vallejo could potentially step into that defensive trio alongside veteran Richard Keogh and highly rated Naby Sarr. Alex Pritchard is likely to give way in midfield on the basis of a switch in formation, facilitating for Rowe and Phillips in the Starting XI.
Lewis O'Brien is expected to move infield having struggled in the left-back position at the Riverside Stadium. Juninho Bacuna and Jonathan Hogg look to keep their places as Phillips is likely to given the nod coming in for Duane Holmes as the last of three changes to the team that lost at the hands of Boro. Fraizer Campbell is set to start for Town upfront looking to rekindle his form towards the back end of the season.
As far as Swansea are concerned, after a solid perfomance against Nottingham Forest at the Liberty Stadium, manager Steve Cooper is likely to make very changes if any. Kyle Naughton will most likely keep his place after his solid performances in recent weeks, alongside in form Andre Ayew.
On loan Aston Villa midfielder Conor Hourihane is highly probable, slotting into midfield, the 30-year-old has taken to the Championship in style since his arrival. Former Huddersfield goalkeeper and recent signing Ben Hamer is to be shifted onto the substitutes bench giving way for Freddie Woodman to start once again in goal.
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Form guide
Swansea have won their last three league games with wins over Rotherham United, Norwich City and Nottingham Forest. The Swans are hard to break down at the back with two clean sheets in their last three league games. The Welsh side have only lost four games this season, losing last against Derby County away at Pride Park on the 16th December. Their record speaks volumes only drawing eight and winning an enormous sixteen respectively.
Huddersfield on the other hand have been on a downward spiral of their own. In their last competitive game in the end they were comfortably defeated, although there was a late surge in the second half through their substitutes to give the Terriers manager some hope of upcoming results and performances.
Losing to Wycombe Wanderers in the dying ends of the game last weekend at the John Smith Stadium changed fortunes. A cruel lesson to their defence after Wycombe came from behind to take all three points. Town led 2-1 at the break, conceding on the brink of half time as the tables then turned in Wycombe's favour in the second phase.
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Previous meetings
Last time out Town drew with Swansea, as they took the lead against the run of play through Jay Fulton, before Karlan Grant equalised for the Terries just before half time. As both sides pressed for a late winner, the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Trevoh Chalobah was sent off for a headbutt. On this occasion the Swans could not find a stoppage time winner.
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Ones to watch
Corberan will be looking to Aaron Rowe and Kieran Phillips who looked enthusiastic on the ball coming off the substitutes bench in the last game. Both players posed a dynamic approach moving the ball very neatly across the park. On his day Fraizer Campbell can be a threat. He will be looking to find any way to trouble a solid Swansea defence, by running through the lines and picking up pockets when possible.
Alex Pritchard will be an impact player off the bench, a regular starter in the Town side, always looking to link up play. Naby Sarr brings plenty of cohesion at the back with Juninho Bacuna using his experience to drive at the heart of defences when holding possession.
Looking to Swansea, they have some star players of their own, many of whom are Premier League quality. Andre Ayew has been around the club for a long time and knows what it takes to get to the big stage, a powerhouse up top for the Swans. Jamal Lowe and Conor Hourihane have grown into the team very well, both establishing a can-do attitude under Cooper. Kyle Naughton has been with Swansea since 2015, he will bring composure in all situations and thrives on confidence.
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How to watch
The clash kicks off at 15.00 (GMT) and will be broadcasted live on Huddersfield Town iFollow in the UK.
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What Carlos Corberan said pre-match
Corberan spoke to club media. When asked about the previous game against Swansea. He said:
"The Swansea game earlier this season was a long time ago. We had a different team then, but so did they. Now we are playing a 3-5-2. They have signed two wingers that allow them to change the shape. In a short period of time, a lot has changed for both teams. My target is to always go for the result. I am only focused on how the team can win three points."