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

Huddersfield Town will aim to extend their unbeaten run to 17 games when they travel to struggling Birmingham City on Saturday.

The Terriers are currently fourth in the Championship table and four points inside the playoffs, while Blues are 18th.

Match preview

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Huddersfield staged a stunning late comeback to win 2-1 against Cardiff City on Wednesday night, meaning they are now on their longest unbeaten run in the second tier since 1919-20; they last suffered defeat on November 27.

The Terriers were 1-0 down with three minutes to go against the Bluebirds, but Josh Koroma equalised in the 88th minute before Jon Russell sparked wild celebrations at the John Smith's Stadium as he struck a 96th-minute winner.

Carlos Corberan's side have their eyes firmly set on a return to the Premier League 12 months after surviving relegation to League One by just six points.

Huddersfield have taken 14 points from the last 18 available on the road and beat league leaders Fulham in their last away trip.

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Lee Bowyer said there was "no way" that Birmingham should have left Reading with nothing after losing 2-1 away at the Royals on Tuesday night.

The Blues have now picked up only one win in their last seven matches and have won just two in 14 since the start of December, although both of those victories came on home turf.

Meanwhile, only three sides have conceded more goals this season than Bowyer's team, who have shipped 53 in 34 games.

However, it was goalless when Birmingham visited the John Smith's Stadium in October – the second successive draw between the two clubs.

Team News

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Birmingham centre-back Teden Mengi could be fit enough to return after a hamstring problem, which would allow Lee Bowyer to switch to a back three.

Fellow Manchester United loanee Tahith Chong is also nearing a return but Lee Bowyer described the winger as "rusty" this week, meaning he is unlikely to go straight into the starting lineup.

Kristian Pedersen's yellow card against Reading on Tuesday night means that he is one booking away from incurring a two-match suspension.

Jonathan Hogg and Harry Toffolo are likely to return to Huddersfield's starting lineup after being rested against Cardiff.

Levi Colwill made his return to the matchday squad in midweek after eight weeks out with a knee injury, so he will be pushing for a start.

Tino Anjorin and Pipa are both nearing returns from injury, but Ryan Schofield, Alex Vallejo and Rolando Aarons are all long-term absentees.

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Etheridge; Colin, Mengi, Pedersen; Graham, Woods, Gardner, Bela; Bacuna; Hernandez, Taylor

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Nicholls; Turton, Pearson, Lees, Toffolo; Hogg; Thomas, O'Brien, Russell, Koroma; Ward

We say: Birmingham City 1-1 Huddersfield Town

With the two sides in very different veins of form, this game seems as if it can only go the way of Huddersfield. The Terriers left it late in midweek though, while Birmingham have been putting in performances without getting results, so we think that it will finish level.

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