Preview: Huddersfield Town vs. West Bromwich Albion - prediction, team news, lineups

West Bromwich Albion make the trip to the John Smith's Stadium to face Huddersfield Town on Sunday looking for the win that will strengthen their spot in the top six of the Championship table.

Meanwhile, Huddersfield head into this game potentially needing a positive result to avoid ending the week in the relegation zone.

Match preview

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With a takeover having been formally completed, the future looks far brighter for West Brom than it did several months ago, and the same can be said about matters on the pitch.

The Baggies have still remarkably not won more than two games in a row since the start of November, yet they look capable of making fifth position their own.

Four wins and three draws have come from their eight league fixtures since the beginning of February, their only defeat coming at the hands of Southampton.

Carlos Corberan would have had mixed feelings over Queens Park Rangers battling back to earn a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw on Wednesday night.

Nevertheless, against another of the form teams in the division, it could be viewed as a point gained, helping West Brom establish a five-point lead above seventh position.

From the perspective of Huddersfield, they can be content with their recent form, particularly for a side who are scrapping at the bottom of the table.

Three victories and four draws have been posted from their last 10 outings, yet the form of the teams around them have led to the Terriers dropping closer to the bottom three.

Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Cardiff City has left the Yorkshire outfit only sitting outside of the relegation zone on goals scored.

However, Andre Breitenreiter's team return to home territory for the first time since holding Leeds United to a 1-1 draw last weekend, one of their eye-catching results of the season.

Team News

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Breitenreiter must decide whether to stick with the back three that he deployed at Cardiff, particularly when Jonathan Hogg is available again after suspension.

Alex Matos is also pushing for a recall and it throws up the possibility of David Kasumu dropping out and Jack Rudoni being used further forward.

Sorba Thomas's spot in the side may be dependent on the formation, but the likes of Yuta Nakayama and Oliver Turton are expected to remain on the sidelines.

With Conor Townsend joining West Brom's injured list, Corboran may be prepared to name a very similar side to the one selected for the QPR game.

Semi Ajayi is an obvious option for the centre of defence and may be preferred if Erik Pieters is switched to full-back or Corberan goes with a back three.

Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:Nicholls; Pearson, Helik, Lees; Wiles, Hogg, Matos, Spencer; Rudoni; Burgzorg, Ward

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:Palmer; Furlong, Kipre, Pieters, Reach; Yokuslu, Mowatt; Fellows, Diangana, Johnston; Wallace

We say: Huddersfield Town 1-3 West Bromwich Albion

Although Huddersfield have shown that they are capable of getting a result of late, they face a West Brom that look like they are warming to the task of remaining in the playoffs at just the right time. With that in mind, we are backing the Baggies to run out convincing victors.

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