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[monks data]
Huddersfield logo
Championship
Oct 20, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
MK Dons

2-0

Wells (58'), Paterson (95')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Huddersfield Town vs. MK Dons

Sports Mole previews the Championship clash between Huddersfield Town and MK Dons.

Huddersfield Town will look to pick up their first win in four games when they take on MK Dons at the John Smith's Stadium on Tuesday night.

However, the Championship new boys travel to Yorkshire knowing that a second straight victory could lift them as high as 13th in the table.


Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield Town manager Chris Powell during the Sky Bet Championship match between Huddersfield Town and Nottingham Forest at John Smiths Stadium on September 24, 2015© Getty Images

Last month, Terriers boss Chris Powell conceded that his squad had endured a "tough period" when they went six games without a win at the start of the season.

A victory at his former club Charlton Athletic followed before Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers, but they remain Huddersfield's only wins this term.

Since that point, the Yorkshire outfit have picked up two points from a possible nine, scoring only once in that time.

Their recent run has also left them only three points clear of the Championship drop zone, but their first clean sheet away to promotion-chasing Ipswich Town gave them some hope of a revival.

Huddersfield's backline has boosted by the news that Aston Villa keeper Jed Steer has extended his loan deal with the club.

However, goals remain an issue for the Terriers, with only Nottingham Forest, Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End having scored fewer.

Furthermore, Town have failed to keep a clean sheet at home in their last 11 league matches.

Recent form: LWWDLD


MK Dons

MK Dons manager Karl Robinson looks on during the Pre-Season Friendly match between MK Dons and Tottenham Hotspur XI at Stadium mk on July 31, 2013© Getty Images

Karl Robinson's side have not found it easy since stepping up from League One last year, but they could be finally turning a corner.

Since the 6-0 drubbing at home to Southampton in the League Cup, a defeat which Robinson felt "embarrassed" by afterwards, MK Dons earned plaudits for their performance in the 3-1 defeat to Derby County before earning a draw against Bristol City.

Ben Reeves found his form with two goals to help the Dons beat 10-man Blackburn Rovers 3-0, but goals have still been hard to come by.

After netting more than 100 goals during last season's promotion charge in League One, they have scored only 12 times to date this term.

Their defence has at least stood up to the rigours of Championship football somewhat, conceding eight less than Queens Park Rangers, who boast the worst record in the division.

However, if they edge closer to safety, then they will need to pick up more than the one away victory they have registered so far.

Recent form: LLLLDW
Recent form (all competitions): LLLLDW


Team News

Huddersfield's James Vaughan celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal against Middlesbrough during their Championship match on October 1, 2013© Getty Images

The hosts will be without James Vaughan for Tuesday's game after he was red-carded for throwing the ball at Ipswich's Jonas Knudsen.

Keeper Joe Murphy could be recalled to the starting lineup after shaking a calf problem, but Jonathan Hogg is an injury doubt.

Meanwhile, the Dons can choose from Sam Gallagher, Samir Carruthers, Daniel Powell and Carl Baker, all possible options to Karl Robinson.

However, Darren Potter, who signed a new deal at the club this week, is unlikely to be fit before the weekend.

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Martin; Spence, McFadzean, Kay, Lewington; Poyet, Forster-Caskey; Murphy, Reeves, Hall; Church

MK Dons possible starting lineup:
Steer; Davidson, Hudson, Cranie, Lynch, Whitehead, Huws; Scannell, Bunn, Miller; Wells


Head To Head

The Buckinghamshire club have bittersweet memories of their last visit to the John Smith's Stadium, when they won the second leg of their League One playoff semi-final in 2012, but ultimately lost on aggregate.

However, that victory in 2012 came on the back of an eight-match streak for the Dons against the Terriers.

Indeed, excluding playoff games, Huddersfield have scored 15 goals in six home fixtures against the Dons.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Huddersfield 0-1 MK Dons

Huddersfield are struggling for goals and, with the inability to keep clean sheets at home, this could a great chance for MK Dons to pick up their second away win of the season.



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Written by
Chris O'Keefe
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Tempers flare between both teams after a tackle by Jake Forster-Caskey of MK Dons on Bobby Reid of Bristol City during the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City and MK Dons at Ashton Gate on October 3, 2015
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