A comprehensive look at our penultimate Sky Bet Championship fixture against Birmingham City
- Huddersfield Town vs Birmingham City
- Saturday 27 April 2024; 3pm
- Penultimate 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship fixture
Taking on the Blues in West Yorkshire this weekend, Town welcome Birmingham City to the John Smith's Stadium for their penultimate fixture of the 2023/24 Sky Bet Championship campaign.
Playing at home for the final time this season, André Breitenreiter's Terriers take on Birmingham City - who currently sit just one place above Town in the relegation zone.
THE OPPOSITION
Starting their current campaign under John Eustace, the former Blues boss won five of 11 fixtures in charge until he was replaced by Wayne Rooney in October 2023.
Winning two games during his tenure in the West Midlands, Rooney was dismissed in January this year, following a 3-0 loss to Leeds United on New Year's Day.
After a tumultuous start to the season, the side turned to Tony Mowbray who led the First Team for seven games until a medical diagnosis in February meant he had to step away from his duties for the time being.
Now 22nd in the Sky Bet Championship, Birmingham City sit just one place and two points ahead of Town - having won just 12 games this season, drawing 10, and losing 22.
Winning two of their last 10 fixtures, both of these victories have come under Interim Manager Gary Rowett, who had seen the Blues climb out of the relegation zone prior to Sheffield Wednesday's 3-1 win at Ewood Park last weekend.
THE MANAGER
Appointed in January, Tony Mowbray made the move to the West Midlands following his departure from fellow Sky Bet Championship side Sunderland a month prior.
Starting his managerial career at Portman Road, Mowbray worked alongside George Burley, before taking over as Interim Manager of Ipswich Town upon Burley's dismissal.
Appointed Manager of Hibernian FC in July 2004, the former defender made the move to West Bromwich Albion in 2006, where he remained for three years before returning to Scotland to take charge of Celtic - a post in which he managed just 45 games for the Bhoys.
Going on to take charge of Middlesbrough, Coventry City, and Blackburn - spending the majority of his managerial career with the latter - the 60-year-old arrived in the North East in 2022 before being appointed Manager of Birmingham City in January 2024.
However, following a medical diagnosis, it was announced in March that Mowbray would take a formal medical leave of absence until the start of pre-season 2024/25.
In his absence, the Blues appointed former Millwall Manager Gary Rowett as Interim Manager for their remaining eight Sky Bet Championship fixtures.
Managing the West Midlands side between 2014 and 2016, Rowett returns alongside First Team Coaches Paul Robinson and Dave Carolan - both of whom share history with the Club and worked alongside Rowett during his previous managerial position.
Spending the majority of his career with the Blues, the former right-back made just shy of 100 appearances for the Club, scoring eight times in two seasons and twice being named in the PFA's Team of the Year.
Following retirement, Rowett began his career at the Pirelli Stadium with Burton Albion before taking charge of Birmingham in 2014. Later managing Derby County, Stoke City, and, most recently, Millwall, the 50-year-old has overseen more than 500 games to date.
LAST TIME OUT
It ended all square in South Yorkshire last weekend, as the Millers and the Blues fought out a goalless draw at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.
Despite Jay Stansfield finding the back of the net during the second half, he was ultimately met with a late offside flag to deny Birmingham taking all three points back to the West Midlands.
Previous Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Ruddy; Buchanan, Sanderson, Bielik, Laird; Šunjić, Paik; Anderson, Roberts, Burke; Stansfield
FORMATION
Generally lining up in a 4-2-3-1, the Blues have rarely deviated from this structure throughout the entirety of their current campaign.
Often allowing Jay Stansfield to play as a lone striker, with Juninho Bacuna and Tyler Roberts either alongside or just behind, Birmingham's formation builds on a strong backline with midfielders who can drop back or press higher depending on the needs of the game.
WHO TO WATCH
Jay Stansfield
Starting his career with Exeter City's Academy, Stansfield made the move to Fulham as a 16-year-old. However, he returned to his old club in 2022, where he excelled in League One - scoring nine times and assisting on eight occasions.
Joining the Blues last summer on a season-long loan from Premier League side Fulham, the 21-year-old has made an appearance in all but three of his side's fixtures during their current campaign.
Moving to the West Midlands in August 2023, the centre-forward has found the back of the net 12 times since then, with three of those goals coming in his last five games.
Juninho Bacuna
A familiar face in West Yorkshire, Bacuna made over 100 appearances for the Terriers between 2018 and 2021.
Appearing in all but one of Birmingham City's fixtures this season, the 26-year-old has so far scored on seven occasions, also setting up a further six during their current campaign.
A product of FC Groningen, the Dutch midfielder made the move to Yorkshire from his native land, before joining Scottish side Rangers in 2021, and finally returning to England when he signed for the Blues in January 2022.
Krystian Bielik
Poland international Bielik joined Birmingham City on a permanent basis in 2023, having previously enjoyed two spells on loan at the club in 2017 and 2022.
Moving to England to join Arsenal in 2015, the defensive midfielder came through the Lech Poznań Academy before joining rivals Legia Warsaw to kickstart his career. Never making a Premier League appearance for the Gunners, the 26-year-old instead spent time on loan at Walsall, Charlton Athletic, and Birmingham.
Signing for Derby County in 2019, he suffered two serious knee injuries that kept him sidelined for a significant period during his time with the Rams, and, following their relegation, he joined the Blues last summer for an undisclosed fee.
TOWN TEAM NEWS
Head Coach André Breitenreiter and a First Team player will speak to the press ahead of our penultimate Sky Bet Championship fixture on Friday 26 April from 1pm. You can watch the full press conference live via our profile on X or via HTTV on YouTube.
KIT
Back at home on Saturday, Town will play in their traditional blue and white stripes for the final time this season as we take on the Blues - and there's currently 30% off the replica kit both in store and online! CLICK HERE to get yours now!
iFOLLOW HTAFC
Audio Match Passes for this fixture are available at just £2.50 each, giving Town supporters who are unable to join us on the day full live coverage of the game. CLICK HERE to book yours!
