In a promotion 'six-pointer', Huddersfield Town are set to host Stockport County at John Smith's Stadium on Boxing Day in League One.
Last time out, the Terriers put on a dominant display and won 4-0 away to relegation-threatened Cambridge United, while the Hatters beat high-scoring Peterborough United 2-1 at home.
Match preview
Michael Duff's Huddersfield are currently fourth in League One with 39 points from their 20 games so far, five points behind Wycombe Wanderers in the automatic promotion places.
The Terriers' win against the U's came after a loss to Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Trophy and a league draw with Lincoln City on December 14 interrupted the five-game winning streak they had built in all competitions between early November and the start of this month.
That being said, Duff's side are unbeaten in their last 11 league matches, drawing three, winning the other eight and keeping six clean sheets in the process, making them the most in-form team in the division.
Additionally, Huddersfield were last prevented from scoring in League One back in October when they drew 0-0 with Wrexham, and have netted 17 goals in the eight games since.
These impressive numbers add up to create a team that are firmly in contention for promotion from the third tier this season, and a Boxing Day win over their rivals directly below them would make for a great late Christmas present for fans.
Meanwhile, Dave Challinor's Stockport are fifth in the table after earning 36 points from their 21 games to date.
Three points behind their hosts having played a match more, a win this Thursday could give the Hatters more security in the playoff spots as they seek promotion in their first League One season since 2009-10.
County's form is somewhat less pristine than Huddersfield's, but is still impressive nonetheless, as they have registered five wins from their last seven league games.
However, their win over the Posh on December 20 followed back-to-back losses against League Two Bradford City in the EFL Trophy and Stevenage in League One, and overall the Hatters have lost three of their last five matches in all competitions.
Additionally, boss Challinor will be keenly aware of the fact that Aston Villa have decided to recall loanee forward Louie Barry in January in order to move him to a higher level for the second half of the season.
The former Barcelona youth player has scored 14 goals in 21 games this term, and given they will certainly miss his output going forward, Stockport will be desperate to pick up all nine points in his final three games for the club, starting with their visit to Huddersfield on Boxing Day.
Team News
Last week, Huddersfield boss Duff mentioned that wing-back Lasse Sorensen has not re-injured his hamstring, but has instead irritated some scar tissue.
That irritation kept Sorensen out of the game against Cambridge, but he could make the squad on Thursday in some capacity.
Meanwhile, Nigel Cello Lonwijk will return to the XI after serving a suspension for picking up five yellow cards this season, and should line up alongside Michal Helik and Matthew Pearson - who was only fit enough for the bench against the U's - in defence.
As for the Hatters, they are still without longer-term absentees Tyler Onyango and Nick Powell, both of whom suffered hamstring injuries that are expected to keep them out for at least another month.
In the forward line, Louie Barry is set to make one of his final appearances for Stockport, and Challinor is likely to start him alongside striker Kyle Wootton and winger Odin Bailey.
Huddersfield Town possible starting lineup:
Chapman; Pearson, Helik, Lonwijk; Turton, Wiles, Kasumu, Kane, Koroma; Ward, Marshall
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Hinchcliffe; Southam, Horsfall, Pye, Touray; Bate, Camps; Bailey, Collar, Barry; Wootton
We say: Huddersfield Town 3-1 Stockport County
Both Huddersfield and Stockport are certainly capable of winning this 'six-pointer', and it is reasonable to picture both sides scoring at some point during the match.
However, the Terriers are currently the most in-form team in League One, and given their momentum is undeniable, it is hard to see anything other than a win for Duff's side on Boxing Day.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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