EPL: Huddersfield Town v Newcastle Utd preview

Huddersfield Town v Newcastle United preview

Huddersfield welcome fellow new boys Newcastle to the John Smith’s Stadium for what will be a special day for the home fans.

The Terriers enjoyed a remarkable opening day win at Crystal Palace as they romped to a 3-0 victory in the capital, new signing Steve Mounie grabbing a brace. 

The Terriers’ faithful will therefore by in high spirits for what is the first top flight game in Huddersfield for 45 years. 

Boss David Wagner is expecting the supporters to raise the roof and says the win at Palace has boosted the confidence and belief of his players that they can compete in the Premier League.

The home side will be without the injured quartet of Nahki Wells, Jonathan Hogg, Martin Cranie and Jon Gorenc Stankovic but have been boosted by the news skipper Tommy Smith will be available after he left the win at Palace early. 

Huddersfield recorded their only win in 11 meetings against Newcastle last season en route to promotion but that triumph came at St James’ Park, the Toon running out 3-1 winners in West Yorkshire in the reverse fixture.

Rafael Benitez’s men had the best away record in the Championship last term and will hope to continue their good success on the road as they search for their first points of the season. 

The Magpies were holding their own against Tottenham last weekend on their return to the Premier League before Jonjo Shelvey’s red card and they eventually slumped to a 2-0 defeat. 

Benitez has been left counting the cost of the loss to Spurs with defender Florian Lejeune and Paul Dummett picking up injuries in that clash, while Shelvey is now suspended. 

They have been boosted by the addition of Joselu, who joined from Stoke this week, and the Spanish forward could make his debut this week. 

Newcastle have not lost their first two Premier League fixtures since 1999 but did open last season in the Championship with back-to-back defeats.