Good morning everyone and thank you for joining us as we bring you live coverage of
Huddersfield Town's Premier League clash with
Bournemouth at the John Smith's Stadium. The Terries have lost five league games in a row, while the visitors are unbeaten in their last seven league outings.
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN STARTING XI: Lossl; Malone, Schindler, Zanka, Hadergjonaj; Hogg, Mooy, Van La Parra, Pritchard, Ince; Mounie
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN SUBSTITUTES: Coleman, Kongolo, Billing, Sabiri, Williams, Quaner, Hefele
BOURNEMOUTH STARTING XI: Begovic; Francis, Cook, Ake; Fraser, Daniels, Cook, Gosling; Ibe, Stanislas, Wilson
BOURNEMOUTH SUBSTITUTES: Boruc, Surman, Arter, A Smith, King, Mousset, Simpson
So the major news is that Wagner has fielded a rather attacking side at home today as the Terries go in search of three vital points. Key defender Christopher Schindler has recovered from the knock he sustained against Manchester United and he starts here.
The German coach is without some other key men, though. Tommy Smith, Elias Kachunga, Jon Stankovic and Laurent Depoitre are all missing through injury. Tome Ince starts in attack, as does Steve Mounie.
As for the visitors, Bournemouth are unchanged from their last victory against Stoke City last weekend. Howe has been able to retain the services of Steve Cook despite some injury issues. Callum Wilson will lead the visitors line, with further support provided by Jordan Ibe and Junior Stanislas. Adam Smith also makes the bench too. Tyrone Mings and Jermain Defoe are both sidelined for the Cherries.
As expected Dan Gosling returns his place in midfield alongside Lewis Cook. It looks as though Howe has gone with three at the back with two wing-backs. One of those will be the young Ryan Fraser starting at right wing-back here.
Wagner surely has to go for it in this game, especially when you consider how fluid and open Bournemouth tend to be at times. The Terries find themselves on an awful slide at the moment and heading nowhere fast. Huddersfield have lost their last five league matches and conceded 14 goals in the process.
Wagner has done an impressive job for the Terriers this season, but things have deteriorated of late. Today the club are starting a Premier League match in the relegation zone for the first time this season.
Three points would still lift them out of the relegation zone, until later today at least. Having said that, the Terriers have won only twice in 15 league fixtures, earning nine points from a possible 45.
January became a particularly problematic month for Wagner and his men. Town have scored just once in their last five league games and are without a single point all year in 2018. Town have scored just once in 620 Premier League minutes - a terrifying stat.
The club's last league win came against Watford in a 4-1 thumping on 16 December 2017. Town's last victory at the John Smith's Stadium came on 9 December in a 2-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. Huddersfield have failed to score in five of their last six matches in the top flight.
Town's profligacy is such that the Terriers have been unable to net in 14 of their 26 league games this term, which represents more than any other side in the Premier League.
Added to that, things have not been too rosy in defence either. Since the turn of the year defensive issues have certainly contributed to the club's problematic league form. Huddersfield have conceded at least two goals in their last five matches in the league.
Town have proven that they can win games, though. The fact that their only wins in their last 11 have both come in the FA Cup might be problematic, but at least the club have tasted victory somewhere at least. Can they stop this woeful slide today? The Terriers have not lost six league outings in a row since 1992-93, when they featured in the third tier of English football.
The absence of Depoitre could be an issue for Town, but they do have Mounie to call upon. The Beninese striker has four goals this term, but has not scored in what seems like an age. The Cherries will need to be wary of Aaron Mooy too, who has four goals and two assists. Collin Quaner could make a creative impact from the bench too, he has three assists this term.
Look at Bournemouth, Howe's men can provide a good blueprint for Town for improving and turning the tables quickly. The Cherries have climbed up from the relegation zone and into the top half in just seven matches.
Bournemouth now find themselves unbeaten in their last seven league contests, winning four and drawing three of them. This run represents the club's longest top-flight jaunt without defeat.
Christmas really proved to be a watershed moment in the club's season. Bournemouth's tally of 15 points since Christmas Day is second only to Liverpool's 16.
Away fortunes have improved for the club too. The Cherries are unbeaten in three away games - drawing twice and winning once.
Despite that statistic, that one victory represents the only away win in their last seven, coming at Chelsea in their last away match.
As we all know, Howe has employed progressive tactics for a number of years and his side are currently playing with some standout fluidity. Bournemouth have scored at least two goals in six of their last seven matches and will be confident of registering again today. That won't be bad news for Town, though, who will be hoping that the extra space on the pitch could leave them with room to operate in attack. There have actually been over 2.5 goals scored in eight of Bournemouth's last nine fixtures...
Frontman Wilson will certainly be one to watch today. The striker scored a hat-trick in Bournemouth's 4-0 home win over Town earlier in the season, scoring with all three of his shots on target. Ibe will be key too, he has six assists this term.
Bournemouth have arguably been a second-half team in recent weeks. Howe's men's last nine league goals have come after the break. Three points here could send the Cherries into ninth spot in the table. How things have changed since Christmas!
Bournemouth definitely have the edge over Huddersfield when you look at the history between the two clubs. The Cherries have won four, drawn one and lost one against Town in their last six league fixtures stretching back to a League One outing in 2012.
Huddersfield's only victory in their last 11 games against Bournemouth was a 5-1 rout in the Championship in August 2013.
Here's a quick glimpse of some of the Town men coming out for their warmups. Wagner has made five changes this afternoon. Can new signing Alex Pritchard help unlock the visiting defence?
PREDICTION! Right, we have just under 15 minutes until kickoff now and it's time to make a prediction. Town currently find themselves on a woeful run and they are coming up against a Bournemouth side bang in form. Huddersfield have Schindler returning, but they also have some key men out. I think this is going to be a tight contest and Town's desperate situation might just inspire them to claim a point against a testing Cherries outfit full of confidence.
Bournemouth boss Howe has been speaking ahead of the contest and is trying to focus on his side maintaining consistency:
"They've been big games for us lately and they don't get any bigger than the one we're just about to prepare for. The trouble with form is that it's temporary and we need to make sure that we keep our consistency levels. It's been such an unpredictable league this season with so many twists and turns. The points difference is so small that we're not looking at a points target, we're just focusing on trying to win every game."
As for Town boss Wagner, his focus seems to be on his side putting together the collective fight required to remain in the league:
"Bournemouth are a very strong opponent on a good run as well. They showed their quality in the first game [against us] and have shown consistency over the years with a good manager in Eddie Howe. We will have to over perform to be successful. We all together have to fight to stay up; everyone from the players to the whole town has to fight. We have to stay together, stick together, fight and believe."
So just a quick reminder of the starting XIs now. Wagner has made five changes and fields an attacking side, while Bournemouth are unchanged following last weekend's 2-1 victory over Stoke...
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN STARTING XI: Lossl; Malone, Schindler, Zanka, Hadergjonaj; Hogg, Mooy, Van La Parra, Pritchard, Ince; Mounie
BOURNEMOUTH STARTING XI: Begovic; Francis, Cook, Ake; Fraser, Daniels, Cook, Gosling; Ibe, Stanislas, Wilson
Recent form and results might seem bleak for Town fans, but three points today could lift them out of the bottom three and they could remain above the dropzone depending on Newcastle United and Southampton's results later this afternoon.
Referee Michael Oliver leads the players out onto the pitch. The Town fans are full of noise and colour for the lunchtime kickoff, you have to give them that.
KICKOFF! And we're off... Bournemouth get us underway. The hosts feature in blue and white, while the visitors are in black.
Town have setup to press early on and it's Pritchard who is putting the pressure on Bournemouth's midfield. The visors come forward through Stanislas and are able to win a corner.
The Cherries mount some continuous pressure down the left channel through Ibe, who eventually wins a corner. His cross into the middle is cleared by Francis at the first attempt, though.
CLOSE! Bournemouth almost catch the hosts sleeping as Daniels picks out the run beyond from Stanislas. Jorgensen does brilliantly to recover, however, the defender making a vital interception and seeing the ball through to Lossl.
A slightly stuttering start from the home side, who have been unable to get their collective foot on the ball. Wagner's men have sought to lump it forward so far. Bournemouth look comfortable in these opening moments.
GOAL! HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1-0 BOURNEMOUTH (ALEX PRITCHARD)
What a start for Town... A long ball is pumped in behind for the run of Mounie, who brings play down delightfully and then races past Francis, who is left all at sea. The frontman continues into the box, where he pulls things back for the incoming Pritchard, who opens his account by guiding a finish first time beyond Begovic. Wonderful goal from the hosts, the ball was a little behind Pritchard too.
The goal has lifted Town and this ground is really shaking now. Hadergjonaj makes progress down the right channel, but is eventually tackled by Ake before he can get his cross in.
Bournemouth have responded calmly thus far as they work the ball around the middle of the park. Town are continuing to press with real vigour, just look what a goal can do for you!
GOAL! HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1-1 BOURNEMOUTH (JUNIOR STANISLAS)
Town fans will be dismayed at this. Bournemouth make inroads far too comfortably down the right channel, where the ball is eventually fed into Fraser. The youngster does really well to spot the run of Stanislas at the back post. The wing-back then uses Hadergjonaj as a shield to send his cross into the box, where Stanislas waits to wrong-foot his marker before slotting calmly past Lossl, who has no chance.
That was a soft goal, really. Especially when you considering the defensive work Town have put in so far. It's that regularity of conceding that has hurt the hosts once again. It's been one attack and one goal for Bournemouth.
YELLOW CARD! Pritchard steals a march on the break, leaving Gosling to drag the playmaker down. A good foul to concede, really, as the Bournemouth man goes into the book.
Malone has the press in his mind and he is able to rob Francis on the left. The full-back tries to turn a ball into the box, only for Cook to come out and make a perfect sliding block to deny the home side a chance to finish.
CLOSE! Town have to be careful - Bournemouth have so much pace on the counter. Ibe comes away with it this time and it's two-on-two for the away side. The winger seeks to play in Wilson, who has strayed just offside under pressure from Schindler.
Mounie has proven a good choice of target man so far and is causing Francis and Cook a few issues in the air. This time, though, Cook comes away the winner with a booming defensive header to clear the danger.
CLOSE! Bournemouth are deploying a high line and Hadergjonaj almost gets in around the back, only for Ake to make the interception. Town go for something from deep next up as Mooy angles one in, leaving Zanke to head straight into the arms of Begovic from close range. He probably had more time there too.
OUCH! Not an inch is being given now by either side as both look to press. Hogg does well to rob Cook and lead a counter for the home side, before Cook returns to hack down the midfielder 30 yards out from goal.
GOAL! HUDDERSFIELD 2-1 BOURNEMOUTH (STEVE MOUNIE)
And they're back in front... From the resulting free kick, Bournemouth drop deep inside their own box, leaving Mooy to turn a ball in towards the middle. Mounie does brilliantly to hold off Francis, and he leaps highest to nod a brilliantly header past a stranded Begovic.
The John Smith's Stadium is alive once more, the atmosphere here is outstanding following the goal. Town have got back on their bikes and are buzzing around with the press once more after going back in front.
OFF THE POST! This might be why Town are 19th... Bournemouth win a corner, which is executed to perfection as the ball is swung in low to Cook, who is left unmarked after a clever block in the area. The midfielder turns the cross first time towards goal, only to see the ball flick off the far post and wide.
Hadergjonaj has been an important outlet down the right going forward for Town. This time the full-back tries one from distance, which is deflected for a corner. The delivery into the middle is turned away commandingly by Begovic's fist, though.
Bournemouth just provide the hosts with a reminder of their danger as Ibe breaks down the left and cuts inside. The winger goes for a pass into the feet of Wilson, but his accuracy is poor and Schindler clears.
CLOSE! Mooy is given too much space in the middle and the playmaker tries to thread the run of Mounie beyond the last man. The wind catches the pass, though, leaving just too much on it as the ball runs through for Begovic to gather.
Some more positive signs from Town, this time as they break away through Van La Parra. His pass finds Mounie, who sees a shot blocked by Francis. Bournemouth eventually gather enough men back and put the brakes on the hosts.
Bournemouth have just lacked a bit of quality in the final third. Wilson has done well to hold the ball up, but Town have done well to win the second ball and have stopped the frontman from feeding his teammates.
The rain is absolutely belting down now up north. Van La Parra jinks in off the left wing to cross cutely for Mounie. Ake has the frontman's number, though, as he is able to head away the danger.
Great challenge from Malone who is able to come across from left-back in order to thwart Stanislas, who just thought that he had been able to thread his pass through into the path of Wilson beyond the last man.
We're going to have two minutes of additional time here at the John Smith's Stadium...
HALF TIME: HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2-1 BOURNEMOUTH
Referee Oliver calls time on the first period and Wagner has exactly what he wants at the break. Town have shown real endeavour going forward and the required quality to put their chances to bed.
Bournemouth have looked slightly one dimensional with balls into Wilson, although both Ibe and Stanislas have started to threat a little more. Town have shown glimpses of why they concede so often and Bournemouth made them pay on that occasion.
Had that other Cook chance gone in too, we might have a different story on our hands. As it stands, though, Town are climbing out of the bottom three and they have arguably shown the commitment required to take all three points here.
Wagner will want more of the same and will be hoping to exploit Bournemouth as they open up and go in search of a leveller. You get the sense that this contest could still fly either way, though, especially when considering Town's form of late.
The sun has come out, what a nice surprise! We're back underway in just a moment...
SECOND HALF! Town get things going again and they spring forward straight away as Pritchard romps towards the away end. The goalscorer then flashes an effort just wide of Begovic's near post.
Malone puts a strong one in on Fraser over on the right side. The hosts have come out full of energy. Bournemouth have been a second-half side this season and Town have much work to do this afternoon to keep these three points.
SHOT! Magnificent skill from Ince, who rolls his marker and sets Mooy away on the break. The midfielder drives towards goal and has a go from the edge of the box, despite having an option over the on the left. The shot whistle through the legs of Cook and wide of the target.
CLOSE! Wilson finds himself breaking beyond the last man in Zanka, but the defender covers well in order to eventually cut out the ball across the middle from the Bournemouth frontman.
SUBSTITUTE: Malone is replaced by Terence Kongolo at left-back for what seems like an injury. Hailstones are now falling...
Town do not look too nervous despite their precarious position, if anything they look the most interested in producing the forward movement this afternoon. Bournemouth have been below par, partly because of Town's energy and pressing. The hosts have made Howe's men look slightly limited.
Again Ibe just offers a glimmer of his potential down the left as he sprints beyond Hadergjonaj, who puts in some excellent work to recover and send the winger's cross out for a corner. Huddersfield then win a cheap free kick when the set piece is turned into the box.
YELLOW CARD! Francis has come up short on a few occasions today. This time he loses Van La Parra and is forced to bring the winger down over on the left flank.
SUBSTITUTE: Howe has seen enough of Ibe and he is replaced by Joshua King in attack. It looks like Bournemouth will switch to a 4-4-2, Fraser on the right and King up top.
CLOSE! Pritchard shows good feet and is brought down by Gosling, who is lucky not to be picked up for the infringement. The ball is eventually worked out to the left channel, where Mooy delivers a perfect delivery from deep. Ince arrives late at the back post free of his marker and produces a diving header over the bar from a matter of yards out. It's not a sitter, but Town should be 2-0 up.
What is going on with this weather? Now we've got snow... Town continue to be busy and press the Cherries, who have been off the boil throughout this match.
SUBSTITUTES: A change for either side as Ince is replaced by Quaner, while Stanislas is hauled off and is replaced by Lys Mousset.
GOAL! HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 3-1 BOURNEMOUTH (STEVE MOUNIE)
What a goal that could prove to be in Town's season. Mooy leads a counter and send his cross along the deck into the middle. Mounie pulls free of his man and clips a wonderful first-time finish along the floor and into the corner past Begovic. A sublime finish from the forward...
Bournemouth look awake now and respond with some urgency through the middle, but it might just be a little too late for the visitors. The ground is rocking!
SUBSTITUTE: Howe makes a third change as Steve Cooks comes off for Adam Smith.
This has been an odd performance from Bournemouth, who have taken the best part of 70 minutes to show some urgency and sense where this game is at. Fraser picks out a cross into the middle, but Ake is adjusted to be offside.
SUBSTITUTE: We've had a couple of minutes stoppage with Mooy left on the deck and he is eventually replaced by Philip Billing.
You have to feel for Wilson, who has ploughed a lonely furrow in attack today. The frontman has covered lots of ground but with very little support from his fellow attackers. The visitors have been far too sloppy and deserved what they are getting.
Bournemouth are throwing everything they can at Huddersfield now, but the hosts are standing firm. The Cherries haven't got an answers at the moment.
More expert work from Mounie, who has been outstanding this afternoon. He aims to set Quaner on the counter, but Bournemouth recover well and are able to put out the fire inside their own half.
Wilson shows great feet on the edge of the box and aims to turn the ball around the corner for Moussetat, but Schindler watches well and makes the interception.
Stop start, stop start now in this contest as Town try to eat up as many seconds as possible. Bournemouth get the chance to swing a free kick into the box, only for three players to move too early and get give offside. Lossl gathers with a smile on his face.
Kongolo has been impressive since coming on, especially with the stakes being so high at that point in the contest. Fraser chucks one long and deep, leaving the full-back to head clear. Town have been brilliant at the back following the break.
SHOT! A corner drops kindly to Cook on the edge of the area, but he can only thump his effort into the body of van La Parra, who shows great stomach to make the block.
Six minutes of added time to come! Most likely for that incident involving Mooy.
The rain is teaming down again as Howe prowls his touchline looking rather angry. The visitors have run out of ideas going forward. Town are taking no chances and clear another long ball with a long ball of their own.
PENALTY TO HUDDERSFIELD TOWN!
GOAL! HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 4-1 BOURNEMOUTH (RAJIV VAN LA PARRA)
Pritchard advances into the box and wins a penalty off Gosling. Van La Parra steps up and buries it when you think they might just give it to Mounie for his hat-trick.
FULL TIME: HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 4-1 BOURNEMOUTH
What an afternoon for Town fans, the club has climbed out of the bottom three having notched their first league points of 2018. Mounie was simply brilliant today and it's a shame he wasn't given the chance to convert his hat-trick with that late spot kick. Bournemouth were out of sorts and Howe will have work to do to get his side ticking over again for next week. That's going to be all from me today, thanks for joining us!