Predicted lineup, momentum, tactics, form and score prediction for HTAFC v Bournemouth

Huddersfield Town face Bournemouth today in a game that Town have to win to keep alive even a distant prospect of taking the second automatic promotion slot. While Town are only three points behind today’s visitors in the league, Bournemouth’s three games in hand over us mean it’s almost certain they’ll pull clear of Town unless we beat them today.

I’m not sure automatic promotion is a realistic objective anyway but bouncing back from Wednesday’s poor showing against Millwall has to be a priority. Regardless of the result, I’m hoping to see Town looking more competitive today and showing more fight. 

Predicted Huddersfield Town lineup to take on Bournemouth

I don’t think there are going to be big changes to the lineup today, so I’m not going to run through the whole team sheet. Instead I’ll focus on the key decisions Carlos has to make.

Firstly, should Town play with three central defenders again after the system failed to work against Millwall. Personally, I think we’ll see one of Lees or Pearson make way and the other partnering Colwill in a back four. If this happens then Turtono is likely to come in as an orthodox right back and Sorba Thomas will be pushed further up field.

The decision about the defence also influences whether Hogg keeps his place or not. Hoggy came in for some stick for his performance in midweek, including from me, but I would be tempted to stick with him for this particular game as we’ll need a bit of defensive steel in midfield. Carel Eiting or Danel Sinani are the most likely players to come in to replace him and both can drift out of games when it’s not going Town’s way, whereas Hogg relishes a battle and will no doubt want to prove his doubters wrong. 

The only other question will be about the general freshness of the squad, having only played on Wednesday night. This question is even more pertinent as Bournemouth played on Tuesday and therefore have had an extra day to recover from their midweek exertions. As this is the last game before the international break, I suspect Carlos will stick with his best XI rather than rotating but any tired legs or niggling injuries could see further changes to the lineup.

Predicted Town XI:

Goalkeeper: Lee Nicholls

Defence: Turton, Lees, Colwill, Toffolo

Midfield: Thomas, Hogg, Russell, O’Brien

Forwards: Ward, Holmes

Changing momentum before the international break

Games come thick and fast in the Championship, so it’s always a bit frustrating to have to wait two weeks for the next game during the international break. These waits are even worse when the last game you play doesn’t go the way you want it. So I really hope that Town manage to get something from today’s game. There’s also the issue of momentum to think about. During our unbeaten run there was a belief and swagger that entered Town’s play that improved our chances in any given game. Now that run has come to an end we’ve started a less pleasant run of three games without a victory, which could be extended to four today if the game goes the way the bookies predict.

It’s amazing how quickly things can change in football and Wednesday’s defeat against Millwal brought out a lot doubts about Town. Getting a decent result against one of the league’s best squads today would be an excellent way to put those doubts to bed. It also means Town will be one step further towards cementing their playoff position.

A good time to play Bournemouth?

While we’re on the subject of recent form, it’s worth mentioning that Bournemouth are not on the best run of their season either, having only won one of their last four games. By all accounts they were poor in their draw with Reading on Tuesday which doesn’t surprise me as I thought Reading were garbage when Town played them and would expect Bournemouth’s expensively assembled team to steamroller them.

In recent weeks our guests today have also drawn with Peterborough and lost to Preston North End, so they are by no means invincible. While recent poor results might act as a motivating factor for them today, they’re there for the taking if Town can get their tactics right on the day. 

What tactics will Huddersfield Town use today?

One of the reasons Town have finally won the begrudging respect of pundits is the tactical flexibility of our squad. There are a variety of approaches that we’ve used over the last few months depending on the situation and the opponent. Bournemouth are a team that like to have plenty of the ball so Corberán will have to decide if wants to allow that to happen or not.

If Carlos is happy for Bournemouth to dominate possession then Town will set up in a defensive shape and look to catch them out with quick counter attacks. This will mean Sorba Thomas plays high up the pitch alongside Ward and the other eight outfield players will have to keep a disciplined shape without the ball and burst forward whenever we get chance to attack.

The alternative would be to disrupt Bournemouth’s natural game and deny them the chance to keep the ball by aggressively pressing them all over the pitch. This will most likely lead to a more entertaining game as it will mean the game is more open but will also makes it easier for Bournemouth to break Town’s defence down and find chances to score.

I think we’ll see a conservative approach from Town today, letting Bournemouth have the ball until they get near our third of the pitch, then we’ll look to play quick balls forward when we win the ball back. Having someone like Jon Russell or Carel Eiting to launch these counter attacks will be important as without decent balls forward we won’t have much of a threat and will come under constant bombardment.

Score prediction – Huddersfield Town 2 -1 Bournemouth

I can’t see Town keeping a clean sheet today but I do believe we have goals in us, particularly with a bumper home crowd cheering the Terriers on. On paper Bournemouth have the superior squad but football isn’t played on paper and Town have already proven this season they can get good results against the league’s top teams.

There’s a bit of pressure on Town’s players to put a disappointing game against Milwall behind them. It wasn’t so much that we lost that game but the manner of the defeat was disappointing. If nothing else, Town must show more fight today and make sure they stay in the game for as long as possible to have a chance of snatching all three points.