Preview: Huddersfield Town vs. Coventry City - prediction, team news, lineups

Both Huddersfield Town and Coventry City are on poor runs of form going into their Championship fixture at the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday.

The two sides started the campaign strongly and were surprise early playoff contenders but they have dropped out of the top six in recent weeks.

Match preview

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Coventry fell out of the playoff positions for the first time since August following their 2-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion last weekend.

Mark Robins admitted that his side were poor and did not deserve anything against the Baggies, who had not won in four matches.

The Sky Blues themselves have now won just once in their last six games, leaving them seventh in the table and one point behind the playoffs.

Next weekend, they host sixth-placed Stoke City, so will want a confidence boost ahead of that crucial fixture.

Away from home, Coventry have been below par all season, having won just twice in 10 matches on the road, scoring only eight goals.

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Huddersfield have also recorded just one victory in their last six matches, dropping from fifth to 11th in the process; they are now five points behind the top six.

The Terriers had to settle for a point away at struggling Barnsley last weekend as Lewis O'Brien's goal was cancelled out by Carlton Morris in a 1-1 draw.

Carlos Corberan's side have taken 13 points from the last 18 available at home, so will hope that a return to the John Smith's Stadium helps them get back to winning ways.

Prior to last season – when both games between the two sides finished as draws – Huddersfield and Coventry had not faced each other in league action since 1972.

Team News

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Daniel Sinani missed Huddersfield's trip to Barnsley last weekend due to illness but could be poised to return on Saturday.

Duane Holmes is set to be available again after he was also absent at Oakwell due to his partner expecting their first child.

Jordan Rhodes and Aaron Rowe both got minutes for the club's B team this week so their long-awaited returns from injury should not be far away.

Coventry midfielder Gustavo Hamer was forced off before half-time against West Brom with a recurrence of a foot injury, making him a doubt for the trip to Yorkshire.

Dominic Hyam is pushing to return to the starting lineup after being named as a substitute last weekend.

Sky Blues top scorer Viktor Gyokeres is currently on a 10-game goal drought after netting nine times in his first 11 appearances of the campaign.

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Nicholls; Pearson, Lees, Colwill; Thomas, O'Brien, High, Toffolo; Holmes, Ward, Koroma

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Moore; Hyam, McFadzean, Rose; Kane, Sheaf, Kelly, Maatsen; O'Hare; Gyokeres, Godden

We say: Huddersfield Town 1-1 Coventry City

With both sides struggling for form, it is hard to see either of them having quite enough to claim victory in this game. They may have to settle for a point apiece which neither manager will go home happy with.

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