Huddersfield Town and Ipswich Town head into their Championship meeting in desperate need of three points for very different reasons.

Victory for Ipswich could catapult them back into the top six, while a win for the hosts would go a long way to securing their immediate future in the second tier of English football.

Huddersfield

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Huddersfield have played like a solid mid-table Championship side since Chris Powell took the helm last September, but their recent form has been shaky.

They have not won in the league since defeating Reading 3-0 in February, with three draws and three defeats in their last six matches.

The Terriers needed a last-ditch strike from Ismael Miller to snatch a 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday in their last outing, but are in good stead to avoid the drop.

As it stands, there is a nine-point buffer between Huddersfield and the bottom three, although they have a few crunch fixtures coming up.

Powell's men still have to play promotion-chasing Derby County and face a crunch clash with Brighton & Hove Albion before the season concludes.

Recent form: LLDDLD

Ipswich

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It has been a roller coaster season for Ipswich, who have gone from playoff certainties to outsiders for promotion all in the space of a few short months.

Mick McCarthy's side endured a difficult March before steadying the ship with a 1-0 win over playoff rivals Watford ahead of the international break.

The Tractor Boys followed this with a 1-1 draw with second-placed Bournemouth and remain in contention for promotion to the top flight, lying in seventh place in the table.

They are one of three teams on 68 points, along with Wolverhampton Wanderers directly below them and Derby in sixth.

Victory for Ipswich could propel them into the top six, and, given that Derby have faltered of late, a strong finish will likely keep them there.

Recent form: LDLWWD

Team News

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Zeki Fryers is expected to keep his place in the Ipswich lineup after making his debut against Bournemouth, while fellow loanee Jonny Williams could make his first appearance of his latest spell with the Tractor Boys.

David McGoldrick lacked match fitness against the Cherries and had to settle for a spot on the bench, but could feature in some capacity at Huddersfield.

Attacking midfielder Darren Ambrose may also be reinstated to the squad following a spell on the sidelines.

Huddersfield Midfielder Jonathan Hogg is expected to make his return from a hamstring injury against Ipswich after failing a late fitness test last time out, but may have to settle for a place among the substitutes.

Miller is pushing for a place in the Terriers starting XI after coming off the bench to score against the Owls, with either James Vaughan or Reece James likely to make way.

Huddersfield possible starting lineup:
Smithies, Edgar, Hudson, Smith, Lynch, Hogg, Scannell, Butterfield, Coady, Miller, Wells

Ipswich possible starting lineup:
Bialkowski; Chambers, Smith, Berra, Fryers; Skuse, Tabb, Bishop, Varney; Murphy, Sears

Head To Head

The two teams played out a 2-2 draw at Portman Road earlier in the season, but Ipswich will be the favourites based on past encounters as well as current form.

The Tractor Boys have won 21 of their 40 competitive meetings with Huddersfield, losing 11 and drawing eight.

They did the double over them last season and have not lost to the Terriers in six.

We say: Huddersfield 0-1 Ipswich

Although Huddersfield appear to have mustered enough fight to avoid the drop, Ipswich are returning to form at just the right time, and will be determined to get something out of the match and break back into the top six. Given their unbeaten run against the Terriers, they should take maximum points.

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