Huddersfield Town and Stoke City head into their encounter at the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday afternoon having both struggled for form during 2021.
While the home side have recorded four successive defeats in the Championship, the Potters have dropped out of the playoff picture after six games without success.
Match preview
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Heading into the Christmas and New Year period, Huddersfield were in a position where they could potentially launch a bid for a playoff spot during the second half of the campaign.
However, five defeats in six matches has left the Terriers in 14th position, just eight points above the relegation zone having played more games than the teams below them.
Carlos Corberan will know that one win may be enough to get his side back on track, and encouragement will be taken from their second-half performance at Bristol City in midweek.
That said, just like during the early weeks of the season, the goals have dried up in the final third, something which cannot continue in the long run if Huddersfield wish to challenge for the top 10.
The absence of Josh Koroma has not helped matters, but fellow forward Fraizer Campbell has netted just twice in his last 10 outings in the Championship.
Stoke are another team who have dropped off the pace in recent weeks, leaving Michael O'Neill to make several signings in a bid to add some extra energy to this squad.
Although there have been sparks from some of their additions, including Tottenham Hotspur loanee Jack Clarke, the Potters are showing few signs of ending their current rut.
O'Neill's side remain just five points adrift of the top six, but the current concern will be regarding being dragged back into mid-table over the coming weeks.
Just six points separate Stoke and their next opponents, who pushed them all the way in a 4-3 thriller at the bet365 Stadium as recently as November 21.
Huddersfield Town Championship form: LWLLLL
Huddersfield Town form (all competitions): WLLLLL
Stoke City Championship form: DDLDDL
Stoke City form (all competitions): DLLDDL
Team News
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A week-long break from action has given O'Neill some time to contemplate changes to his Stoke XI.
Rabbi Matondo and Steven Fletcher are in line for recalls, although O'Neill must find a system to accommodate the in-form Nick Powell.
Despite the defeat at Ashton Gate, Corberan may stick with the same players after their improvement in the second half.
Alex Pritchard is an option for the Terriers if Corberan opts to introduce fresh legs into his midfield.
Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Schofield; Pipa, Keogh, Sarr, Toffolo; Bacuna, Vallejo, O'Brien; Mbenza, Campbell, Aarons
Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bursik; Collins, Souttar, Chester, Norrington-Davies; Allen, Mikel; Clarke, Powell, McClean; Fletcher
We say: Huddersfield Town 1-1 Stoke City
With both sides wary about recording another defeat at the weekend, we do not expect the most entertaining of fixtures in Yorkshire. Goalmouth action could be few and far between, and it would come as a surprise if this fixture did not end in a low-scoring draw.
