It is Premier League match day 18 and Huddersfield entertain Southampton in a 3 pm kick off on Saturday 22nd December, two sides who are at the wrong end of Premier League table.
The Hasenhuttl effect looks to have gripped St. Mary’s and will have to start spreading beyond their home ground when Southampton travel to Huddersfield, if they are to continue distancing themselves from relegation threatened sides as we approach the second half of the season. The Saints ended Arsenal’s 22 game unbeaten run last Sunday in a show of passion and tenacity that has seldom been displayed by the team this season. Hasenhuttl frequently referred to as the “Klopp of the Alps” lived up to the billing with the intensity and pressing offered by his team.
The Austrian’s tenure as Southampton manager began with a 0-1 loss away to Cardiff, but on Saturday it felt like the players had started warming to his style of football as they blunted Arsenal’s fierce attack to register their first win in all competitions since beating Crystal Palace in September to end a run of 14 games without a win. The Saints have taken only one point on their last 7 travels in the league and are currently on a 4 game losing streak away from home. While last week’s victory over the Gunners meant they turned the tide on a 12 match win less streak in the Premier League, they are still to keep a clean sheet in their last 7 league games.
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl: "We can see a small light at the end of the tunnel and I think the way to go out of this situation we are in at the moment is a long one. The next game against Huddersfield is very important for us because we can send a strong signal to ourselves and the league that we are not leaning back and are working hard".
Huddersfield are still living dangerously in the league with 10 points from 17 games played to sit 19th in the table. In their 9 home league games so far, they have won 1, drawn 2 and lost 6. In those games, the Terriers have 2 clean sheets and have failed to score in 6 of them. No team have accrued fewer points at home than Huddersfield this season.
Last week’s 0-1 home loss to the Magpies was Huddersfield’s fourth straight loss in the league. Their unexpected 0-2 win over Wolves in November has failed to provide a much needed confidence boost required for a strong run of results necessary to battle out of relegation waters. 4 consecutive losses since then have seen them plummet down the table, with failures at home to Brighton and Newcastle and away to Bournemouth and Arsenal.
Huddersfield Town head coach David Wagner on Southampton: "I have seen the game against Arsenal and they had that little bit of luck you need to win matches in the Premier League. They are much more aggressive than they were before. They play a higher line and are much more on the front foot. We will have to find the right solutions."
Team News
Aaron Mooy has suffered a long-term injury and will be a huge miss for Huddersfield. The Terriers have striker Steve Mounie back from a 3-game ban while Rajiv Van La Para returned to training this week from a back strain. Danny Williams, Tommy Smith and Adbelhamid Sabiri all remain out.
Jack Stephens, Cedric Soares, Mario Lemina, Nathan Redmond and Michael Obafemi all face late test to see if they will be available for selection. The Saints are hopeful all of them will ready to be called on. Ryan Bertrand is still out with an injury
Verdict
The Saints are looking for a first back to back win in the league since April 2017 and look set to achieve that on Saturday. The Terriers are poor in defence and in the absence of Aaron Mooy are likely to provide little in attack to worry the Saints defence. A win for Southampton is the safe bet here.
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