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

At a time when the leaders sit 16 points clear of third position in the standings, the visitors sit level on points with two other clubs in the relegation zone.

Match preview

Over the past three games, it is fair to say that Burnley have not been at their best, Vincent Kompany acknowledging earlier this week that there were a number of fitness and illness issues in the squad.

Nevertheless, the Clarets have still come through fixtures with Watford, Luton Town and Millwall - three clubs vying for the playoffs - unbeaten and with five points to their name.

In the grand scheme of things, that has kept Burnley 12 points clear of second-placed Sheffield United, while they hold a further four-point cushion ahead of third.

Burnley remain on a 13-match unbeaten streak in the second tier, and they are in a position where they would still remain favourites for the title and promotion even if they doubled the two defeats that they have suffered this season.

Kompany will view their upcoming fixture as one which should lead to another three points, yet it would be naive to overlook opponents who have been boosted by the return of Neil Warnock.

Eyebrows were understandably raised when the veteran was chosen as the replacement for Mark Fotheringham over 27-and-a-half years after his initial reign.

However, Warnock delivered in his first match in charge, the Terriers coming from behind to record a 2-1 victory over Birmingham City.

That result ended an eight-match winless streak in all competitions, although Cardiff City's resurgence means that Huddersfield remain four points adrift of safety.

With some in-form teams next on their schedule, the Yorkshire outfit remain outsiders to remain in contention for 21st spot, yet Warnock may relish being in charge of a club who are underdogs to prevail on a weekly basis.

Burnley Championship form:

W

W

W

D

W

D

Burnley form (all competitions):

W

W

W

D

W

D

Huddersfield Town Championship form:

L

D

D

L

L

W

Team News

Kompany has hinted that he will not rush the returns from injury of Benson Manuel and Jay Rodriguez, while Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Jordan Beyer remain sidelined.

However, the Belgian will likely rotate his Burnley XI, recalling the likes of Charlie Taylor, Jack Cork, Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Nathan Tella.

Josh Brownhill may drop down to the substitutes' bench for the first time in the Championship this season ahead of the FA Cup tie with Fleetwood Town.

Having had a week to prepare for this fixture, Warnock could be prepared to name much of the same Huddersfield starting lineup.

However, Matthew Lowton is ineligible to face his parent club, leaving William Boyle in line for a recall, while Martyn Waghorn is an option in attack if Warnock prefers to go with a more physical presence.

Burnley possible starting lineup:

Muric; Roberts, Ekdal, Taylor, Maatsen; Cork, Cullen; Gudmundsson, Barnes, Zaroury; Tella

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:

Bilokapic; Lees, Helik, Boyle; Kasumu, Rudoni, Hogg, Camara, Headley; Ward, Hungbo

We say: Burnley 2-0 Huddersfield Town

With a number of minor issues in the Burnley camp, Huddersfield may sense an opportunity to cause one of the upsets of the season. However, the professionalism instilled in the Clarets should help them grind out another three points at Turf Moor.

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