PREM: Huddersfield v Southampton preview

Huddersfield v Southampton preview

Huddersfield manager David Wagner has called on his players to turn good performances into points ahead of hosting Southampton this weekend.

The Terriers find themselves in 19th place, two points and two places below this weekend's opponents, but despite their ongoing problems, Wagner insists that results will turn if they continue producing good performances.

"We have to make sure that we perform and then score," he said. "Performance-wise we are more or less competitive. Unfortunately, we haven't scored enough and collected points.

"We have to make sure we perform at our highest level. This opens the door for the chance to score and get points."

Scoring has indeed been Huddersfield's biggest problem. In English top-flight history, no team has scored fewer goals after nine home games than Huddersfield have recorded this term (three goals - the same as Everton in 1998/99 and Arsenal in 1912/13).

They face a Southampton side buoyed by the 3-2 win over Arsenal - their first home league win since April - and Wagner has warned his players to prepare themselves for a much stiffer test than what might have been expected a couple of weeks ago.

"Southampton are much more aggressive than before," he added. "They play a higher line and are on the front foot. We have to find ways that we can hurt them.

"Sometimes results won't be there but when performances are as strong as they are, and if everyone sticks to what the club created, then it makes no sense to go in another direction."

Ralph Hasenhuttl insists Southampton have plenty of hard work ahead of them, starting with Saturday's clash at the John Smith's Stadium.

"It's a six-point game," he said. "It can be a huge step for us.

"No one thought that we can do something against Arsenal but against Huddersfield it's a completely different situation.

"Against Arsenal we were not the favourite and in Huddersfield it is a 50-50 game, I think."

Wagner has no new injury problems and will be boosted by the return of striker Steve Mounie following his three-game ban.

But midfielders Danny Williams (knee) and Abdelhamid Sabiri (shoulder), plus defender Tommy Smith (hamstring) are still out.

Nathan Redmond will face a late fitness test on a knock while Mario Lemina could return to action following an abdominal injury.

Cedric Soares remains a slight doubt with a calf strain while Ryan Bertrand is unlikely to return following a back injury until next week.

Jack Stephens (knee) and Michale Obafemi (hamstring) are also working hard to get back in contention.