Huddersfield Town are travelling to St Andrews’ for their FA Cup fourth-round tie against Birmingham City. A replay round after both the sides failed to get the result over the other and ended the first match at 1-1.
The Terriers got the early lead in through Steve Mounie’s headed in effort from Florent Hadergjonaj’s floated cross. Ex-Huddersfield loanee Jutkiewicz then pounced on Michael Hefele’s mistake to fire past Joel Coleman, and also had an effort disallowed for offside. Joe Lolley nearly won it for Town in stoppage time as the hosts dominated.
However, the substitute fluffed his effort from nine yards out. Mounie was denied by David Stockdale at his near post in the first half and he could have scored from a corner shortly after Jutkiewicz’s equaliser, but his strike flew over the crossbar. Chris Lowe and Collin Quaner also had chances for the hosts as Birmingham failed to record a shot on target until after the break.
Jutkiewicz’s tame effort from six yards out had been Birmingham’s best chance before the striker – who was loaned to the Terriers by Everton in 2009 – eventually levelled. Birmingham boss, Steve Cotterill made seven changes to the side which drew 1-1 at Preston in the Championship – and it paid off as they came through unscathed ahead of their crucial relegation battle with Sunderland on Tuesday.
Both the clubs are struggling to put up wins in their respective leagues and are very close the relegation zone. The Blues, however, are on an impressive two-game win streak after beating both Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday 3 goals to nil over the past week.
The FA Cup is already heating up with all the Premier League elites gunning for the final trophy. With the battle for survival beckoning, will either of the two sides be willing to place all their chips in this game?
After losing 5 games in a row in the league David Wagner will be eager to get the win over a lower division opponent to give his players an all-important boost for the final stretch of the season. He is expected to field his men in the 4-2-3-1 formation.
Defence
Joel Coleman is the predicted starter in between the sticks. He might get shielded by the defensive quartet of Florent Hadergjonaj, Michael Hefele, Terence Kongolo and Scott Malone.
Midfield
Aaron Mooy and Jonathan Hogg in the holding midfield role with Abdelhamid Sabiri in front of the duo. He should be flanked by Rajiv van La Parra and Collin Quaner.
Attack
Steve Mounie is expected to lead the attack. Here is how they might line up:
