Predictions for the Brighton away game: Tactics, starting XI, and score

Huddersfield Town head into the business end of the season now, with just six games remaining. We’re hovering perilously over the relegation zone in 16th place, with three of our last games against top-six opposition there’s pressure on Town to start picking up points. Today’s game against Brighton is a chance to do just that.

Brighton aren’t clear of trouble yet either, a win for Town will see them draw level with the Seagulls on 34 points for the season. They have a similarly tricky run in as Town, so will also be eager to get a result today.

Tactics Town should play against the Seagulls

I can understand why David Wagner tried to play a defensive system against Newcastle last weekend, and we’d be celebrating his tactical acumen if we’d have been able to score a couple of breakaway goals and win the match. However, the players we’ve got don’t seem to suit that system. We don’t have the potent threat up front that can exploit every tiny opportunity and our defensive block starts to crumble under sustained pressure.

So I hope that David Wagner will change the tactics and play a more open and attacking system that sees us go toe-to-toe with Brighton. It’s obviously what the fans of both teams want to see, but it makes tactical sense too, as our players are better suited to a high-pressing and attacking style of football.

There’s no reason to change the typical 4-2-3-1 formation for the game, but I hope that the instructions to the players are to terrorise Brighton’s players, press them over every inch of the pitch and to attack in numbers whenever we get the ball.

If we lose playing this type of football then I honestly don’t care, at least we’ve tried to win the game. I’d much rather watch Town fail spectacularly than see us unsuccessfully attempt to cling to a 0-0.

Starting XI to play against Brighton

Goalkeeper and defence

Lössl drew some criticism last week for spilling the ball in the build-up to Newcastle’s goal but I still have faith in him and don’t see any reason to change keepers at this stage of the season. The centre-back pairing of Schindler and Zanka should stay the same too, and Kongolo always improves our defence when he plays, so should stay in at left-back.

The only change I’d make in Town’s defence would be swapping Smith for Hadergjonaj. This gives us more pace down the flanks and superior crossing ability. I like Smith and think he may be the better defender or the two, but the Swiss international is better going forward and that’s where Town need to be strong.

Midfield

Mooy and Hogg both deserve to keep their places. We’re still not seeing the best of Aaron Mooy following his return from his knee injury but he’s still capable of playing a killer pass at any minute. Hogg continues to quietly impress in the deep-lying midfield role too, so I expect he’ll start.

Wingers and number 10

Pritchard hasn’t been as effective in the number 10 slot in the last few games. It feels like he’s still adjusting to the pace of the Premier League and isn’t getting the pockets of space he needs to operate effectively. I’d still pick him, as he’s got the potential to create something in games but I hope to see more from him against Brighton.

The wingers are a bit of a conundrum because I don’t think any of Town’s wide players have been good enough this season, at least not consistently. The fact that Collin Quaner has played so many games and is our top assister shows that the other players in this position have not contributed enough. That’s no insult to Big Col, but he should have been limited to the odd heroic cameo this season but instead we’ve had to rely on him to open up opposing defences with his unorthodox way of bulldozering down the wing.

Our two most skilled wingers are Ince and van La Parra, so I suppose they’re the best picks. They both need to improve their end product and make better decisions in the final third. I wouldn’t be shocked if Sean Scannell was given a chance in this game given our lack of options, but it’s probably more likely he’ll come on from the bench.

Striker

Depoitre did a fairly decent job against Newcastle but was given a thankless task, as he toiled away in isolation up front. There’s more to Depoitre’s game than just being a lone target man with no support. To get the best out of him the players around him need to be alive to the flick ons and knockdowns.

I don’t think there’s much to choose between our two strikers. Mounié is more potent and Depoitre is a harder worker, but both have proven they can score in important matches this season. I’d personally prefer to see Mounié as he’s the person in Town’s team I’d trust most to get on the end of chances and finish them.

TerrierSpirit.com prediction: Brighton 1-2 Huddersfield Town

This is a huge game for both teams and Town’s current form makes them underdogs. Thankfully there are plenty of examples from David Wagner’s time at Town where we’ve overcome the odds and pulled off remarkable wins. I think this today’s game could be another memorable victory.

Brighton are a good team, but if Town play to their full potential they can beat them. A few of the players that have been off the boil lately will need to show their quality. I’m thinking players like Ince, van La Parra, Pritchard or Mounié could be the ones that step up their game and bring the points home for Town.