Huddersfield Town v Sheffield Wednesday

Huddersfield Town v Sheffield Wednesday
Sat 22 November 12:15 John Smith’s Stadium


“It’s a game we’re all looking forward to." Chris Powell

Is the Championship league table a fair reflection on both clubs? Sheffield Wednesday have certainly made improvements after a few dodgy seasons, but their home form is atrocious, currently ranked 23rd! However, the Owls’ form away is second to none, well, 4th in the current form standings. So, is 13th a fair position for Wednesday? Judging by their last six matches away, then yes is the answer, having won one, drawing four and losing one. The Owls haven’t won a match in their last nine Championship matches. However, Town will need to improve in defence, having shipped six goals in the last two matches. Wednesday, on average, are currently scoring nearly two goals a game in their away games. Also, a toss up whether they concede or not, as keeping a clean sheet only happens 50% of the time in their away fixtures.

As we know, Town are in 16th position and since Chris Powell took the helm, have won four, drawn four and lost four, a mixed bag as some may say. Town’s home form standing is currently 10th position, having won three, drawing two and only losing one in their last six home encounters. The Terriers are putting away, on average, nearly three goals a match at home! The big but, is that the lads in defence are only managing to maintain a clean sheet 25% of the time at home.

After those statistics, what do they tell us? Well, what we already know, Town need to sharpen up in defence, as scoring is not really a problem, even with Vaughan out injured. Wednesday will probably concede at least one goal, if Town concentrate at the back and let things happen up front, then Town should notch three points on the board. Wednesday’s top goal scorer is Nuhiu, he has put five away. For Town, Wells and Bunn are bagging a number too, nine and six respectively. Analysing the goal getters and both of the teams form, I am predicting a two goals to one victory for the Terriers.

Will Diego Poyet get a start? I would imagine so, as he is only with the club for one month, Powell will want to see what he has to offer. Then again, the lad is another midfielder and Town are hardly lacking in that department. I would have liked to have seen another rated defender come in on loan, there is time.

For those who like to guess the attendance, it could be a difficult one to forecast, as the local derby is on Sky. Obviously, there will be a large number of people staying at home or going to the pub to watch the contest.

According to Wikipedia, Town are NOT rivals to Sheffield Wednesday. Sheffield United, Leeds, Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and Chesterfield are only considered. I wonder if it is because Huddersfield is in West Yorkshire. It is a Yorkshire derby, in my eyes, we are rivals!

Town need to get back to winning ways after losing the last two matches, albeit to two ex Premiership clubs, so the team shouldn’t feel too down.

I have no malice towards Wednesday and I would like them to do well, but not at the expense of Huddersfield Town.

UTT!