Match Preview: Blues v Huddersfield Town
Championship action returns to St Andrew’s for the first time this season as Birmingham City host Huddersfield Town on Friday night.
Blues will be looking to build on a well-earned point on the opening day at Kenilworth Road, where the team survived an onslaught of Luton Town pressure to come away with a result.
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As much as the solid defensive display was praised by head coach John Eustace, there will be an ambition to show more offensively in front of a home crowd this time around.
Considering the lack of options off the bench coupled with the fact new signing Krystian Bielek is still weeks away from action, an unchanged side is expected to turn out for Blues against the Terriers, hoping to pick up their first maximum of the new season.
The Opposition
Huddersfield Town were 90 minutes away from the Premier League in May before a Levi Colwill own goal in the Play-Off Final sentenced them to another season in the Championship.
Nevertheless it was a remarkable campaign for the Yorkshire-based club who finished 3rd in the league, a vast improvement on their 20th placed finish the season prior, in which they had the worst defensive record in the division.
However, the summer has been a turbulent time for The Terriers with the loss of many key components of their success last term. Carlos Corberàn resigned over the off-season due to a lack of backing from the club, whilst star players Lewis O’Brien and Harry Toffolo were lured away by Nottingham Forest.
Danny Schofield has stepped up from the club’s B team to take head coach duties for the senior side, and began with reign with a loss at home to Burnley in his first competitive fixture in charge of the team.
Team News
Blues have come through the Luton game and week of training with no fresh injury concerns.
Youngsters Ryan Stirk and George Hall are now available for selection after their respective injuries.
Nico Gordon and Gary Gardner are still not ready for action, whilst Polish international Krystian Bielek is not to feature for at least a couple of weeks.
Prediction: Blues 1-0 Huddersfield
Blues managed to keep out an energetic Luton side last weekend, and now face a Huddersfield outfit who did not have a shot on target in their season opener.
The first goal is going to be crucial in a game between two sides who have shown limited attacking prowess so far, meaning we could see a cagey affair at St Andrew’s.
If Blues land the first blow on the night, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Eustace’s men hold on for the victory and all 3 points at the start of a busy August schedule.
Looking forward to being at the match tonight,optimistic on one hand but my head tells me there are going to be 7 players in the starting line up from last seasons dire campaign and that worries me.Hope that Placheta,Bacuna Bellingham and Hall can make telling contributions because we desperately need some creative magic.l think Bacuna is a gifted player but inconsistent and when he is bad he is bad and l guess that is why Huddersfield and then Rangers let him go.
I take it back,Bacuna man of the match for me,pity he couldn’t crown great run with a goal but now needs to show more consistency,great match though.