Michael Duff's Huddersfield Town are set to host Jon Brady's Northampton Town at The John Smith's Stadium on Saturday in League One.
The home side are fourth with 12 points after playing five games, while the visitors are 18th with five points from their five matches so far this campaign.
Match preview
© Imago
Huddersfield Town are seeking promotion back to the Championship at the first time of asking this season after being relegated in 2023-24 following their 23rd-placed finish.
This weekend's home side have made a strong start to their promotion attempt by winning four of their first five league games this campaign.
The Terriers currently occupy one of League One's playoff spots, but sit just one point behind league leaders Wrexham with a game in hand.
Last time out, Huddersfield beat Bolton Wanderers 4-0 on September 14, a match that they thoroughly dominated despite averaging just 48% possession.
Duff's side were significantly more productive than Bolton and managed to score four goals from their five big chances, while their opponents created zero big chances despite their marginally superior possession.
The home side have also scored 10 goals this season and conceded just three, meaning they rank joint-third in the division offensively, and joint-second defensively in the division.
© Imago
On the other hand, Northampton Town are just one point above the relegation zone and will be hoping to put some distance between themselves and 21st-placed Bolton with a win on Saturday.
The visitors are in poor form in the opening to the League One season and have registered just one win from their first five matches.
The Cobblers lost 2-1 to Wycombe Wanderers in their most recent game on September 14 after disappointingly squandering an early 1-0 lead.
Manager Jon Brady took over in February 2021, and in 2022-23 helped the club earn promotion back to League One before maintaining their place in the division last season with a respectable 14th-placed finish.
This term, his side have scored five goals but conceded six, making them the division's joint 15th-best offensive yet joint eighth-best defensive team.
Team News
Huddersfield manager Michael Duff recently mentioned that Herbie Kane, David Kasumu and Brodie Spencer are "all in contention" to play after their injuries, but that Kane is the closest to full fitness of the three.
However, The Terriers' boss will be without midfielder Mickel Miller after he picked up a hamstring injury in the win over Bolton Wanderers.
Likewise, forward Rhys Healey and goalkeeper Chris Maxwell are unavailable for selection this weekend.
As for the visitors, boss Jon Brady will be glad that goalkeeper Lee Burge should be able to play on Saturday despite being substituted following a collision against Wycombe Wanderers.
Meanwhile, Northampton striker Tom Eaves is expected to make his first appearance for his new side in the next two weeks, though this weekend may come too soon for him.
Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Nicholls; Lonwijk, Helik, Lees; Hogg; Kane, Wiles, Evans, Sorensen; Koroma, Marshall
Northampton Town possible starting lineup:
Burge; McGowan, Baldwin, Guthrie, Brough; Pinnock, McGeehan, Sowerby, Hoskins; Morton, Roberts
We say: Huddersfield Town 2-0 Northampton Town
Huddersfield Town are in strong form so far this season and their impressive win last time out means they have now scored twice as many goals as Northampton this season.
Additionally, the away side have conceded more goals than they have scored this campaign, and this defensive frailty could be exposed by Duff's side.
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