Reeling from their first League One defeat in almost four months, things do not get any easier for Huddersfield Town on Tuesday night, when they face division leaders Birmingham City at the John Smith's Stadium.
The Terriers' 16-match unbeaten run in the third tier came to an end with a 1-0 loss to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, while the table-toppers' high-profile meeting with Wrexham ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
Match preview
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Not since their 1-0 loss to none other than Birmingham on October 1 had Huddersfield been conquered in League One, but Michael Duff's crop had no answer to the might of a managerless Bolton side on Saturday, as the Trotters kicked off the post-Ian Evatt era in style.
In a clash between two erstwhile Premier League clubs, Bolton ripped up the form book as Aaron Collins struck the only goal of the contest 10 minutes into the second half, condemning Huddersfield to that increasingly rare sinking feeling.
Nevertheless, the fourth-placed Terriers still cannot be totally discounted in the automatic promotion race, lying seven points behind Wycombe Wanderers and four adrift of third-placed Wrexham, both of whom have played a game more than Duff's men.
As surprising as Saturday's loss may have been, Huddersfield had started to see their powers wane on home soil before the visit of the Trotters; after winning seven in a row on their own patch from October 5 to December 3, they now have just one victory from their last five at the John Smith's Stadium.
However, midweek matchups tend to bring out the best in Huddersfield, who have won each of their last four league matches played on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, their longest such sequence since their Premier League promotion season in 2016-17.
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Also dreaming of reliving their glory days in England's top tier, Tom Brady's Birmingham swap Hollywood for Huddersfield in midweek, having contested a glamour derby with Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's Wrexham on January 23.
Under the watchful eyes of their star-studded owners, the two title hopefuls contested a hard-fought draw at the Racecourse Ground, as Ollie Rathbone broke the deadlock in the ninth minute before Lyndon Dykes replied no fewer than nine minutes later.
Extending their unbeaten streak in all tournaments to a staggering 15 matches - including each of their last 11 contests in League One - Chris Davies's men are still looking down on all other 23 teams in the division and have two games in hand on second-placed Wycombe Wanderers.
Rarely kept at bay on rival territory, Blues have only failed to score in one of their 13 League One away matches so far this season - their 1-0 loss to Charlton Athletic on October 5 - but trips to Huddersfield are not always the most fruitful.
Indeed, Birmingham have gone winless in each of their last seven league matches away to the Terriers - although six of them have ended level - and an Alfie May strike was enough to propel Davies's men to a 1-0 triumph over Tuesday's hosts back in October.
Team News
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Huddersfield's efforts against Bolton were not helped by a first-half injury to key midfielder Ben Wiles, who was withdrawn in the 36th minute after taking a stamp on his foot.
Duff is optimistic that Wiles has only suffered an impact injury, which might settle down in time for the visit of Birmingham, but right-back Ollie Turton is expected to miss out once more with a meniscus issue.
Either Herbie Kane or Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Joe Hodge should step in for Wiles if need be, and it would not be a shock to see Callum Marshall return up front over Joe Taylor.
As for Birmingham, the league leaders came out of their draw with Wrexham unscathed on the physical front, and midfielder Tomoki Iwata is now available again after recovering from a training injury.
Paik Seung-ho, Willum Willumsson, Emil Hansson and Lee Buchanan are still on the sidelines for the visitors, but Blues received a significant boost last time out as winger Keshi Anderson came off the bench for a second-half cameo.
The 29-year-old had missed four straight League One games with a muscular injury, and while he may still not be ready for 90 minutes, there is seemingly a good chance that he will be cleared to start over Scott Wright.
On Monday, Birmingham also confirmed the loan signing of Kieran Dowell from Rangers, but he will almost certainly have to wait for his full debut.
Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Chapman; Lees, Pearson, Balker; Turton, Kane, Evans, Hogg, Spencer; Charles, Marshall
Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Allsop; Laird, Klarer, Davies, Cochrane; Gardner-Hickman, Leonard; Anderson, Dykes, Stansfield; May
We say: Huddersfield Town 0-1 Birmingham City
Having enjoyed a rare weekend off while Huddersfield's efforts went unrewarded against Bolton, Birmingham will arrive at the John Smith's Stadium with the fresher legs and optimism of picking up their first league win away to the Terriers in over 10 years.
Duff's men have started to lose their dominant streak on home soil, and with integral midfielder Wiles potentially either missing out or not operating at full fitness, we cannot envisage the hosts stunting Birmingham's title charge.
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Ben Knapton
