After a last-gasp header on the part of Pontus Jansson sealed victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Wednesday, Leeds United travel to the John Smith’s Stadium to do battle with local rivals Huddersfield Town, in a climacteric clash between two direct competitors for a play-off berth.

With victory away to Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night, Leeds United sealed a league double over the Lancashire outfit for the first time since the 2003/04 Premier League season. Tomorrow, Garry Monk and his charges will embark upon a short excursion to Huddersfield, aiming to avert a first league double for the Terriers over Leeds since the 2008/09 League One campaign.

Whenever the two sides have clashed in the past, little more than local bragging rights have been the prize for the victory; but on this occasion the circumstances are markedly different to those in the past. It can plausibly be argued that tomorrow’s match, one that likely draw a deluge of expectant spectators, will perhaps be the most significant one to be played by the two sides in their recent respective histories.

As the mutable spectacle of the Championship play-off skirmish intensifies as every week passes, the value of points cannot be trivialized. Each and every point that is accrued by a club that presently holds a position in the play-offs  between now, and the conclusion of the current season, could make all the difference come May.

Huddersfield, fresh from an enthralling encounter against Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday night, a match in which they were deservedly victorious, are the favourites of many an observer to take all three points; but what say you? You can have your say, simply by leaving a comment below.

The match promises to be a fiery, perhaps acrimoniously contested affair, one that will be incandescent by its very nature - and one that, no matter its outcome, will have a significant bearing on the complexion of the battle for a coveted play-off berth.

Team News

Huddersfield Town (5th)

Winger Sean Scannell, formerly of Crystal Palace, remains sidelined with a long-term ankle injury, while the physically imposing midfielder Philip Billing is a doubt after missing his side’s win over Brighton with illness.

On-loan Chelsea forward Izzy Brown, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Rotherham United, will have his fitnessed assessed prior to kick-off.

Leeds United (4th)

Left-back Charlie Taylor continues to be plagued by a hamstring injury he sustained before Christmas, while midfielders Ronaldo Vieira and Pablo Hernandez are both eagerly anticipating recalls.

Fleet-footed wingers Alfonso Pedraza and Modou Barrow, who were signed on deadline day from Villarreal and Swansea respectively, are both available for selection.

Probable Lineups

Huddersfield Town (4-2-3-1) - Ward; Smith, Hefele, Schindler, Löwe; Mooy, Hogg; Kachunga, Brown, Parra; Wells.

Leeds United (4-2-3-1) - Green; Ayling, Bartley, Jansson, Berardi; O’Kane, Bridcutt; Roofe, Hernandez, Dallas; Wood.

Team Facts

Huddersfield Town

Top Goalscorers: Elias Kachunga (9), Nahki Wells (8), Kasey Palmer (4).

Most Assists: Tommy Smith (7), Kasey Palmer (3), Rajiv van La Parra (2).

Highest Statistical Average Rating: Christopher Schindler (7.01).

Record in 2016-17 (League) - W: 16, D: 4 ,L: 8.

Goals For: 35

Goals Against: 31

Goal Difference: +4

Last 5 Matches: WLWWW

Leeds United

Top Goalscorers: Chris Wood (20), Souleymane Doukara (5), Kyle Bartley (4).

Most Assists: Pablo Hernandez (6), Kemar Roofe (5), Hadi Sacko (3).

Highest Statistical Average Rating: Pontus Jansson (7.67).

Record in 2016-17 (League) - W: 17, D: 3, L: 9.

Goals For: 41

Goals Against: 28

Goal Difference: +14

Last 5 Matches: WLWLW

Media: David Wagner (Huddersfield), and Garry Monk (Leeds):

David Wagner:

"Sunday's game is another highlight. We need to raise our level again to play a very good Leeds team.

“Like always, the players will know what is in front of them - but the focus is on ourselves & doing our details right.

“A lot of things have changed at both clubs since our win at Leeds. It's a different game on Sunday; a big match for us.”

Garry Monk:

"I was at the Huddersfield game on Thursday and I was very impressed.

"Considering they were playing against Brighton who are the league leaders, you would have expected a tight game, but they ran out very comfortable winners in the end, which makes their performance even more impressive.

"I'm sure that gives their belief of making the Premier League this season even stronger and we realise it will be a very difficult game for us.

"I think it will be our toughest game of the season and one we are going to have to be ready for.”

Match Facts

After four successive league defeats by Leeds, Huddersfield have tasted victory in their previous two outings against the Whites; both of them arising at Elland Road.

Leeds have used the fewest number of players in the Championship this season (23).

Chris Wood has scored more goals than any other player in the Championship since the turn of the year (six), while Pablo Hernandez has the most assists (four) in this period.

Huddersfield are undefeated in 9 of their last 10 league matches.

Key Men

Huddersfield Town: Aaron Mooy, Midfielder: (7.08 Average Statistical Match Rating)

The scorer of the decisive goal in the reverse meeting between the two sides some months ago at Elland Road in September, Australia international Mooy has enjoyed a highly productive campaign this season since joining David Wagner’s side on loan from Manchester City.

An all-action, spirited, midfielder with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of stamina, the 26 year-old is an integral component of the side at the John Smith’s Stadium and his prodigious displays this term have made him a firm favourite of the Huddersfield supporters.

His elan and vigour coupled with his quite masterly aptitude when it comes to passing the ball to his teammates, will no doubt facilitate a move to a more prosperous part of the country and a more prolific contender for trophies should Huddersfield fail to win promotion.

Leeds United: Chris Wood, Forward: (7.02 Average Statistical Match Rating)

Hailing from New Zealand, the 25 year-old has been a talismanic figure for Leeds United this season, namely because of his ruthless efficiency in front of goal. Wood has no less than 20 goals to his credit this term, and the striker is enjoying the most bounteous goal-scoring harvest of his career.

Possessed of bullish strength reminiscent of an exasperated bull, perhaps his most tangible asset, Wood is able to hold up play and bring his teammates into the game with sometimes consummate ease.

The forward is imperative to the imperious manner in which Garry Monk has managed to get his side playing their football in this season, and was a scorer in his side’s 3-0 victory at the John Smith’s Stadium last season - and there is every chance that he’ll repeat that feat tomorrow.

Writer’s Prediction: Huddersfield Town 1-1 Leeds United

I anticipate a match that is chock-full of zeal and ardour, but I cannot envisage a clear winner. I take the view that the two sides are evenly balanced, and should they be set apart by the scoreline come the full-time whistle tomorrow, I’d expect nothing more than a scintilla of good fortune to be the decisive factor.

Statistics derived from WhoScored.com

Photo: Action Images

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