Match Preview | Huddersfield Town vs. Cardiff City
Cardiff City travel to the John Smith’s Stadium to face Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon (17/09), 3pm KO.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SEASON SO FAR
The Terriers currently sit 23rd in the Championship table, having recorded four points in their opening eight fixtures.
Starting out with defeats to Burnley and Birmingham City, their first victory of the season came against Stoke City, as goals from Yuta Nakayama, Danny Ward and Jordan Rhodes saw them claim a 3-1 win.
However, last season’s Championship play-off finalists couldn’t build on their first victory, falling to defeats to Norwich City, Bristol City, Blackpool and Wigan Athletic, along with a 2-2 draw against West Bromwich Albion.
After their most recent fixture against Wigan Athletic, the Terriers parted company with head coach Danny Schofield, who succeeded Carlos Corberán in July.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | SUMMER SIGNINGS
Over the summer, ten new faces made the switch to the John Smith’s Stadium in a busy transfer window for the Terriers.
Utilising the loan market, Aston Villa right-back Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Manchester City defender Luke Mbete and Chelsea playmaker Tino Anjorin all joined, the latter returning to the club for a second spell.
Also bolstering their defence were the arrivals of Nakayama from Dutch Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle, along with fellow centre-backs Michal Helik and Will Boyle from Barnsley and Cheltenham Town respectively.
In the midfield department, Jack Rudoni made the switch from AFC Wimbledon, while David Kasumu signed from MK Dons and Connor Mahoney joined from Millwall.
After an impressive loan spell at Swindon Town this season, striker Tyreece Simpson caught the attention of the Terriers and signed a four-year deal this summer.
OPPOSITION FOCUS | KEY PLAYERS
One of the most influential players for Huddersfield Town last season was Wales international Sorba Thomas. Operating in a wing-back role, the 23-year-old netted three goals and 16 assists in all competitions last term.
Long-serving captain Jonathan Hogg is another key part of the Terriers’ side, having made over 250 league appearances since joining from Watford in 2013. During his time at The John Smith’s Stadium, the midfielder was part of the side that secured promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs in 2017.
The club’s top scorer last season was former Bluebird Danny Ward, netting an impressive tally of 14 league goals, playing a huge part in their journey to the Championship play-off final.
CITY FLASHBACK | CITY DEFEAT TERRIERS ON WAY TO WEMBLEY
The Bluebirds welcomed the Terriers to Cardiff City Stadium during the memorable 2011/12 EFL Cup campaign.
In an eight-goal thriller, City raced to a 2-0 lead through early goals from Gábor Gyepes and Jon Parkin, only for the visitors to force their way back into the contest in the second-half.
Striker Jordan Rhodes scored a brace, while Ward also netted, as the Terriers turned the game on its head late-on.
However, City reacted admirably and forced an injury-time equaliser through Don Cowie. In extra-time, the Bluebirds netted twice, with Craig Conway and Cowie’s goals proving the difference in a dramatic 5-3 win.
City went on to produce a fantastic run in the competition, earning a place in the Wembley final against Premier League giants Liverpool.
