Huddersfield Town play host to Middlesbrough on Friday evening looking for the win that will see them move further clear of the Championship relegation zone.

At a time when the Terriers occupy 21st place in the standings, Middlesbrough are down in 14th and at risk of dropping out of the race for the playoffs.

Match preview

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Despite Darren Moore being able to keep Huddersfield out of the relegation zone for the time being, pressure remains on his shoulders considering some of the recent comments from the club's hierarchy.

Nevertheless, there would have been no complaints with how the Terriers comprehensively defeated Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day, running out 3-0 victors.

As well as ending a five-game streak without success, Huddersfield were able to move five points clear of the bottom three given the defeats for the 22nd and 23rd-placed teams.

The club's owners have ambitions to eventually challenge for promotion, like they did a couple of seasons ago, but Moore will hope that there is an acceptance that it will be a work in progress at the John Smith's Stadium.

That said, this is a team that have won just three of their most recent 18 fixtures in the second tier, something that must drastically improve if Moore wants to keep his job in the long run.

Michael Carrick will feel that the same applies to him with the Englishman having, so far, failed to build on last season's near-miss with promotion.

Posting four wins from their last 11 games have been enough to keep Boro in the playoff picture, as the North East outfit are still within three points of sixth despite sitting in 14th spot.

However, the concern will come from following notable wins over Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion with a 1-0 defeat at out-of-form Rotherham United.

Middlesbrough have now lost more games than they have won in the second tier during 2023-24, a statistic that will be deemed unacceptable in the eyes of the fanbase, and this double-header with Huddersfield and Coventry City has the potential to be pivotal in terms of Carrick's longevity at the Riverside Stadium.

Team News

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With goalkeeper Chris Maxwell suffering a hamstring injury on Boxing Day, Moore will have to select between youngster Jacob Chapman or Lee Nicholls, currently under concussion protocol, as his replacement.

The remainder of the Huddersfield XI could stay the same with Moore expected to prefer continuity over rotating players, but the most likely other inclusion could be Josh Koroma.

Josh Ruffels and Danny Ward are among those who will remain on the sidelines through injury.

Meanwhile, Carrick will almost certainly make changes with Riley McGree, Matt Crooks and Josh Coburn among those who could all be drafted back into the team.

Lukas Engel is also expected to take the spot of Alex Bangura at left-back, but the likes of Paddy McNair and Hayden Hackney remain doubtful given the quick turnaround.

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Chapman; Lees, Helik, Nakayama; Kasumu, Wiles, Hogg, Rudoni, Headley; Burgzorg, Thomas

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Glover; Dijksteel, Fry, Clarke, Engel; Howson, Barlaser; Jones, Crooks, Greenwood; Coburn

We say: Huddersfield Town 1-1 Middlesbrough

In a game between two managers who will feel under similar pressures, this game should be tightly contested. Either team could edge it, but we feel that a low-scoring draw is the most likely outcome.


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