Huddersfield return to home soil having thrown away a sure fire victory at Rotherham and having lost last time out at home will be desperate to get a final 3 points under their belt in 2014.
The visitors are Bolton Wanderers who have seen an upturn in their fortunes since disposing of Dougie Freedman in favour of Neil lennon; rising from 24th position to sit currently 14th.
The two sides met just recently in November with Bolton running out narrow victors through a Craig Davies 67th minute goal.
The Bolton keeper had a man of the match performance that day as Town’s forward line failed to register; with Town manager Chris Powell quoted on the day as saying:-
‘I have a disappointed changing room because we were very much in the game.
‘It’s a game you look to take something from because of the position of both teams.
‘We knew Bolton had an uplift in form since Neil came in but we felt comfortable coming here and playing the way we did. The chances were there for us to take something.
‘I think a draw would have reflected the whole game.’
So a point to prove this time out, in what i expect to be another tight low scoring affair.
Vital Quotes: Chris Powell
“I know it`s tradition but personally I think it is too quick, However, it doesn`t change year in, year out and we`ll get on with it. We`ve dusted ourselves down and we`re ready to go again.”
“They`ve signed Eidur Gudjohnsen and Emile Heskey, who popped up with a goal on Boxing Day, since our last meeting
“However, it doesn`t really matter who you`re playing in the Championship; it`s about what you do on the day. We need things to go for us and we`re looking to take the good aspects of what we did at Rotherham into the game.”
Huddersfield Town Team News:
Grant Holt (knee) is a serious doubt
James Vaughan (fitness) is also to be monitored.
Nahki Wells is ready to step up off the bench.
Jon Hogg is hopeful to have recovered from illness.
Player to watch: Sean Scannell
The winger has seemingly gone off the boil in recent matches; but having come off against Bolton poorly in the previous meeting, he will be a player Town look to break down what is a stubborn Bolton defence
Bolton Wanderers Team News:
Craig Davies (Hamstring) is set to return to the squad.
Emile Heskey likely to start on the bench again despite scoring the matchwinner on Friday
Mark Davies & Marc Tierney remain sidelined.
Kevin McNaughton has returned to training but boss Neil Lennon unlikely to tinker with his back 4.
Player to watch: Lee Chung-Yong
The South Korean Midfielder, nicknamed ‘Blue Dragon’ will enjoy the pitch at the Town Ground and he has the ability to pick the lock to Town’s defence.
Match Facts & Stats
Head-to-Head
? Bolton won the earlier meeting this season 1-0 at the Macron Stadium on 29 November.
? Huddersfield have won only one of the last nine meetings. Their only win since 1999 was 1-0 at the Macron Stadium in December last season.
? Bolton have won three of the last four meetings at Huddersfield, drawing the other. Huddersfield’s last win at home was 3-2 in the old Division One in March 1999.
Huddersfield
? Huddersfield have won only one of their last eight games. Their only win since 1 November was 2-1 against Brentford at home on 6 December.
? Huddersfield lost their last home game 1-0 against Birmingham on 20 December – their first defeat in eight games at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Bolton
? Bolton are unbeaten in their last eight games, winning five. Their last defeat was 2-1 at Norwich on 31 October.
? Bolton won their last away game 1-0 at Millwall on 19 December – their first win in five games on the road.
Ref Watch:
Referee: Trevor Kettle
Assistant Referees: Mark Jones, Ross Joyce
Fourth Official: Oliver Langford
Match Prediction:
Huddersfield 2-1 Bolton
Next Fixtures:
Reading (H) FACUP 3 Jan 2015 – 3PM
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