Preview: Huddersfield Town vs. Peterborough United - prediction, team news, lineups

Huddersfield Town play host to Peterborough United on Friday evening looking to extend their unbeaten record in the Championship to 16 matches.

Meanwhile, bottom-placed Posh make the trip to the John Smith's Stadium having pushed Manchester City in the FA Cup fifth round earlier this week before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat.

Match preview

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Such has been the form of Huddersfield of late that they deserve to be competing for the top two and as long as they remain in third spot, there is an argument that they can still secure automatic promotion.

However, despite sitting two points adrift of Bournemouth, the Cherries have played four games fewer, realistically leaving Huddersfield to focus their attention on making sure of a playoff spot.

As it stands, a 15-match unbeaten streak has given the Terriers a six-point cushion over seventh position having played two matches more, highlighting that there can be no complacency despite three months without a defeat.

The latest success of Carlos Corberan's team came last weekend as they posted a 2-0 victory at Birmingham City courtesy of Levi Colwill's and Lewis O'Brien's first-half goals at St Andrew's.

While goals have sometimes been a problem for this team, Huddersfield have now won three contests in a row, as well as earning a fifth-round showdown with Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.

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Opponents Peterborough played their last-16 tie in that competition on Tuesday night, going down 2-0 to Premier League leaders Manchester City after initially withstanding the visitors for an hour.

Recently-appointed boss Grant McCann would have feared the worst after the 3-0 defeat against former club Hull City in his first game, but Posh's improvements against Man City suggested that they still have hope in the relegation battle.

After 11 matches without a win in the second tier, Peterborough sit eight points adrift of 21st-placed Reading, albeit with a match in hand.

At times, their home form has been relatively respectable, but McCann and his squad make the trip to Yorkshire having collected just four points from 17 away games in the league.

Peterborough have also only scored one goal in their last seven Championship fixtures, that strike coming during the closing minutes of last week's 2-1 defeat at leaders Fulham.

Team News

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Having shown flexibility with his approach of late, it would come as no surprise if Corberan recalls several Huddersfield players at the weekend.

Danny Ward is likely to get the nod ahead of Jordan Rhodes, while one of Josh Koroma or Daniel Sinani is in line to replace Duane Holmes.

Chelsea loanee Levi Colwill impressed on his first appearance in almost two months, doing enough to retain his spot in defence, although Blues teammate Tino Anjorin is still pushing to feature after an ankle injury.

Despite the three-day turnaround, McCann may be prepared to stick with the majority of the Peterborough players who started against Man City.

However, Oliver Norburn is back from suspension, while Joe Taylor and Callum Morton come into contention after being cup-tied on Tuesday night.

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

Peterborough United possible starting lineup:
Benda; Knight, Edwards, Kent; Ward, Fuchs, Norburn, Coulson; Szmodics; Morton, Marriott

We say: Huddersfield Town 2-0 Peterborough United

While it is reasonable to say that Peterborough made improvements against Man City earlier this week, the quick turnaround could be a factor here. Huddersfield are well rested and playing well, something which could lead to the Terriers recording a routine win.

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