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It’s a Yorkshire derby for Leeds United this weekend as the Whites make the short trip to Huddersfield Town this Saturday lunchtime.
Leeds go into the game on a rich vein of form after a 4-0 victory over Middlesbrough at Elland Road last time out made it five wins in a row - their longest win streak since a run of seven between November and December 2018. Last Saturday's victory also extending the Whites' unbeaten run to eight games (since a 1-0 win over Birmingham City at Elland Road in their centenary game back in October).
Head coach Marcelo Bielsa sees his side sit in 2nd place in the Championship table on 40 points, five points clear of Fulham in third and just two points behind league leaders West Brom.
If the Whites are wanting continue their bright spell though, they will have to do it without influential midfielder Kalvin Phillips, after the 24-year-old picked up his 5th yellow card of the season against Boro, resulting in a one-match suspension. Bielsa revealed in this week's press conference that centre-back Ben White will most likely replace Phillips in defensive midfield while Gaetano Berardi fills in at central defence on Saturday, something Bielsa tried out towards the end of the Middlesbrough win.
Meanwhile, Huddersfield Town go into this weekend's game on the back of a 5-2 loss away at Bristol City, a result which manager Danny Cowley said he was "ashamed" of. Last Saturday's loss continued their poor run of form as Town have picked up just two points from their past four games. Cowley, along with brother Nicky as assistant manager, sees his side sit in 19th place in the league table on 18 points, just two points above the relegation zone.
The Terriers are also going through what has been labelled as an 'injury crisis' currently, but they do still pose a threat with striker Karlan Grant at their disposal, who has already netted eleven times this season.
Team news
Huddersfield Town full-backs Danny Simpson (hip) and Jaden Brown (ankle) are doubts, along with striker Fraizer Campbell (hip).
Leeds United are still without forward Tyler Roberts (hamstring) and they will also be without 20-year-old Jamie Shackleton who Bielsa said will be out for a further two to three weeks.
Quick match facts
- Saturday will be the first meeting between Huddersfield and Leeds since February 2017, when the Terriers won 2-1.
- Leeds have lost their last three meetings with Huddersfield - they haven't lost four consecutive fixtures against Town since a run of six between 1928 and 1931.
- After a run that saw them lose 14 out of 16 home league games, Huddersfield are now unbeaten in their last six home games (2W 4D).
Match information
Huddersfield Town vs. Leeds United
Sky Bet Championship
12:30pm Saturday 7th December 2019
The John Smith’s Stadium
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