Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Huddersfield Town and West Bromwich Albion, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Huddersfield Town and West Bromwich Albion meet at the John Smith's Stadium with both clubs occupying places in the bottom half of the Championship standings.

The Terriers are down in 22nd spot, albeit with a game in hand, while the Baggies are only in 14th place despite ending their winless streak last time out.

Match preview

West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Bruce on August 14, 2022 © Reuters

West Brom fans have reached a stage where they do not expect their side to score many goals, particularly when losing arguably their leading striker to yet another injury.

However, they finally found some form in the final third against Hull City last weekend, even if they were aided by an own goal and a penalty, as they prevailed by a 5-2 scoreline.

Steve Bruce will not be satisfied with how his team conceded twice during the closing stages of the game, but there was an equal sense of relief that the club had finally posted their first league win of the season.

Sitting just four points off top spot, no damage has been done, but there is a feeling that some momentum needs to be built, especially given their 1-0 defeat at Derby County in the EFL Cup in midweek.

The West Midlands outfit are yet to keep a clean sheet in any of their three away fixtures this campaign, with their two goals coming in the second half.

Danny Schofield in charge of Huddersfield Town on July 29, 2022 © Reuters

As for Huddersfield, Danny Schofield deserves somewhat of a bedding-in period given the circumstances that he gained control at Huddersfield.

That said, he will also acknowledge that improvements are required if the Terriers are going to improve on a return of three points from four matches.

There was an element of good fortune during the 3-1 success over Stoke City, although Schofield could argue that his team impressed more during the 2-1 defeat at Norwich City having played almost a half of football with 10 men.

Nevertheless, the end result is that they currently sit in the relegation zone, not helped by their game with Coventry City needing to be postponed.

On a plus note, Huddersfield have scored in each of their last four matches in all competitions, only drawing a blank against Burnley on the opening day of the season.

Huddersfield Town Championship form:

Huddersfield Town form (all competitions):

West Bromwich Albion Championship form:

West Bromwich Albion form (all competitions):

Team News

Huddersfield Town's Tom Lees celebrates scoring their first goal on March 7, 2022 © Reuters

Huddersfield will have to make do with Tom Lees after the defender was sent off against Norwich on August 16.

Jonathan Hogg could drop into the back three with Jonathan Russell taking his place in central midfield, while Josh Koroma is pushing for a recall on one of the flanks.

Chelsea loanee Tino Anjorin is expected to return to the squad after missing the last fixture with a dead leg.

Having freshened up his squad for the EFL Cup tie in midweek, Bruce should revert back to the starting lineup from the Hull game.

Daryl Dike will not be considered for a return from a thigh injury until the middle of October at the very earliest.

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Nicholls; Turton, Hogg, Nakayama; Hayden, Rudoni, Russell, Ruffels; Koroma, Ward, Thomas

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:
Button; Furlong, O'Shea, Ajayi, Townsend; Molumby, Yokuslu; Wallace, Swift, Diangana; Grant

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We say: Huddersfield Town 1-2 West Bromwich Albion

Given Huddersfield's break without a fixture, this is a difficult match to call. The Terriers need a strong performance, particularly in front of their own fans, but we are backing West Brom to edge this contest by the odd goal in three to catapult themselves into the top half of the table.

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