Match Preview | Cardiff City vs. Huddersfield Town
Cardiff City welcome Huddersfield Town to Cardiff City Stadium on Wednesday evening, 7.45pm KO.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | IN THE DUGOUT
Huddersfield Town’s manager is André Breitenreiter, who was appointed last month following the departure of previous boss Darren Moore.
Breitenreiter spent his playing career in Germany, representing the likes of Hannover 96, Hamburger SV and VFL Wolfsburg.
Switching to management in 2011, he managed TSV Havelse before moving to SC Paderborn in 2013.
His first season at the Benteler-Arena was a remarkable one, guiding the club to their first ever promotion to the Bundesliga.
After spells at Schalke 04 and Hannover 96, Breitenreiter managed outside of Germany for the first time in his career, joining Zürich and leading them to the Swiss Super League title in 2022.
Prior to joining the Terriers, he had a short time as manager of TSG Hoffenheim, where he managed 22 matches.
Since taking over at the John Smith’s Stadium, his side have won one and drawn one.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SEASON SO FAR
It’s been a disappointing campaign for Huddersfield Town, who currently sit 21st in the Sky Bet Championship table.
Breitenreiter is their third manager of the season, succeeding Moore and ex-Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock.
However, Town's form since their new boss has come in provides encouragement for them, having recorded a 2-1 win over Watford and a 1-1 draw against Leeds United.
The side were reduced to ten men against the Whites, meaning club captain Jonathan Hogg will miss Wednesday night’s fixture.
Away from home this season, the Terriers have won three of their 17 matches and have recorded 16 points, a record that ranks 20th in the division.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYER
Despite their frustrating season, it’s been a productive one for centre-back Michał Helik.
The defender joined the club in 2022 from Barnsley and has since made over 50 league appearances for the Terriers.
This season has seen the Polish international stand out for his goalscoring form, netting nine goals in the Sky Bet Championship this term, including against Leeds United on Saturday.
He is currently the club’s top scorer, with three goals more than loanee Delano Burgzorg.
PREVIOUS MEETING | CITY NET FOUR
One of the Bluebirds’ best performances this season came in the reverse fixture against Huddersfield Town in October.
The Bluebirds were ahead inside two minutes, as some great work from Callum Robinson led to an own goal from Matty Pearson.
The lead was doubled in the 12th minute through Dimitrios Goutas, who not for the only time this season, showed his threat in the opposition box.
A memorable moment followed for City attacker Yakou Méïté, who was alert in the area to net his first goal for the Club.
Despite a fine Bluebirds performance, right-back Perry Ng took centre stage with an outstanding free-kick to add a fourth.