Huddersfield vs Leeds predictions: Whites' clean sheet run will be tested by Terriers

- Both teams have scored in three of Huddersfield's last four games
- Both sides have netted in Leeds' last two matches
- Recommended bet: Back both teams to score

A crucial West Yorkshire derby awaits relegation-threatened Huddersfield and promotion-chasing Leeds at John Smih's Stadium on Saturday.

The lunchtime kick-off offers the Terriers a chance to pull further clear of the drop zone before their survival rivals are in action and an opportunity for Leeds to close the gap to Championship leaders Leicester to just three points.

The Whites fought back to beat the Foxes last Friday but were undone by a Chelsea comeback in the FA Cup on Wednesday. 

Daniel Farke's men will have to be on their mettle to get the better of a Town team that gave new boss Andre Breitenreiter a winning start at Watford last weekend.

Team news

Breitenreiter can bring Sorba Thomas back into the fold after the Welsh winger missed last weekend's trip to Vicarage Road for personal reasons.

Forward Delano Burgzorg came off with cramps in that game but should be fine to start once more, while Jack Rudoni appears to have overcome an ankle knock in time.

Radinio Balker is out due to a quad complaint, and fellow defender Brodie Spencer will miss out due to illness, but Jonathan Hogg has overcome a back problem and top scorer Michal Helik could return to the squad after four weeks out with an injury. 

As for Leeds, there will be several changes to the team that took on Chelsea.

Farke gave Georginio Rutter the night off as he dealt with a hip flexor problem, while Crysencio Summerville (rolled ankle) and Patrick Bamford (calf) were named on the bench.

Dan James overcame a knock to start but could lose his place to Willy Gnonto again, while Glen Kamara looks likely to return to the line-up, pushing Connor Roberts out of the side as Archie Gray switches from midfield to the back four.

The stats

Wednesday's 3-2 FA Cup loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was Leeds' first taste of defeat in 2024, but Farke's side remain on a nine-match winning streak in the Championship.

Leeds have kept four consecutive away clean sheets in the league, their longest streak without conceding on their travels since February-March 2012.

Huddersfield's Thomas and Leeds' Summerville are tied for the most chances created in the Championship this season (90).

Breitenreiter has gone up against teams coached by Farke twice before and lost both times. His Hoffenheim side lost 3-1 and 4-1 to Farke's Borussia Monchengladbach outfit in the 2022-23 Bundesliga campaign.

Prediction

The Whites' second-half fightback stunned Leicester at Elland Road last Friday, but there were moments in that game where the visitors could have built an unassailable advantage.

The Foxes sliced open Leeds' defence on numerous occasions at the start of the second half, and Patson Daka was wrongly denied a goal that would have put Leicester 2-0 up by an incorrect offside decision.

Leicester are a cut above Huddersfield in every department, but the Terriers will have taken notes on how it was done and can cause problems on their own patch.

Town have won two of their last three home league games and ran in-form Hull close in a 2-1 defeat on their previous outing at John Smith's Stadium.

But while Leeds' run of away clean sheets looks unsustainable, the Whites are in the habit of scoring wherever they go and should ensure that both teams find the back of the net this weekend.

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