Huddersfield Town and Preston North End get their EFL Cup campaign underway when they go head to head in the first round at the John Smith's Stadium on Tuesday.
Both sides will be looking to get their season up and running after failing to taste victory in any of their opening two games in the Championship.
Match preview
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Huddersfield Town failed to get their 2022-23 Championship campaign up and running last Friday when they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Birmingham City.
Despite being on the front foot for most of the game, the Terriers found themselves two goals down at half time courtesy of strikes from Scott Hogan and Przemyslaw Placheta, before Daniel Ward pulled one back on the hour mark.
Prior to that, they had enjoyed a decent pre-season, where they picked up two wins and one draw from five friendly matches, before kicking off their Championship campaign with a 1-0 loss against Burnley on July 29.
Huddersfield Town head into Tuesday unbeaten in five of their last seven competitive games across all competitions, claiming four wins and one draw while scoring nine goals and conceding five.
Danny Schofield's men now take their first step towards securing a place in the next round of the cup competition against an opposing side who they have failed to beat in nine of their last 13 encounters since 2011.
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Meanwhile, Preston North End were involved in a share of the spoils for the second game running last time out when they were held to a goalless draw by Hull City.
Despite being on the front foot for most of the game and seeing over 60% of the ball possession, the Lilywhites were guilty of a lack of sting in attack as they failed to convert any of several clear-cut chances.
Prior to that, Preston North End enjoyed a solid pre-season campaign, where they picked up three wins from their five games before playing out a goalless draw with Wigan Athletic in their league opener on July 30.
However, Ryan Lowe's men head into Tuesday unbeaten in each of their last four competitive outings, picking up two wins and two draws since a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Blackburn Rovers on April 25.
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Team News
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Huddersfield Town will take to the pitch without Nigerian midfielder David Kasumu, who came off injured midway through the Championship opener against Burnley on July 29.
He is joined on the Terriers injury table by 29-year-old defender Matty Pearson, who is set to sit out his fourth consecutive game through a foot problem.
Ward opened his account for the season in the 2-1 defeat against Birmingham City last time out and we expect the 31-year-old to spearhead the hosts' attack once again.
As for Preston North End, Lowe will be unable to call upon the services of Ched Evans, who picked up a straight red in the opening-game draw against Wigan.
On the injury front, the visiting side will be without 29-year-old forward Sean Maguire, who has been out of action since April through a muscle problem.
Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Nicholls; Turton, Edmonds-Green, Lees, Ruffels; Hogg; Thomas, Russell, Holmes, Koroma; Ward
Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Storey, Lindsey, Hughes; Whiteman; Potts, Johnson, Browne, Brady; Riis, Parrott
We say: Huddersfield Town 2-1 Preston North End
Huddersfield Town have stumbled into the new season, suffering defeats in their opening two games. However, they will fancy their chances on home turf, where they are unbeaten in five of their last seven competitive outings. While we expect the Lilywhites to put up a fight, we predict the hosts will come out with a slender victory.
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Top tip
Joshua Ojele
