Huddersfield Town v Cardiff: Key battles to decide Saturday's clash

Can Huddersfield Town avenge September's defeat when they host Cardiff on Saturday?

Here are three key battles that could help decide the destination of the points...

Joel Lynch v Anthony Pilkington

With the impending sale of top scorer Joe Mason, Anthony Pilkington will be expected to step up and provide the goals for the Bluebirds for the foreseeable future.

As Town fans will be well aware, he is more than capable of doing just that. Sold by Huddersfield to Norwich in 2011, he scored 14 goals in 75 Premier League games before moving to Cardiff in 2014.

Only Mason has scored more than Pilkington’s tally of five for the Bluebirds in the Championship this season - and two of those came last weekend to earn a 2-2 draw with Rotherham to add to his strike against Town earlier this term.

The burden of stopping him will fall squarely on the shoulders of Joel Lynch, who will be leading a reshuffled defence with suspensions to Mark Hudson and Tommy Smith.

Town have kept four clean sheets in their last 12 games, and given Cardiff’s top 10 position is based more on defensive solidity than attacking riches, Lynch will be determined to add a fifth shutout of Wagner’s reign.

James Husband v Craig Noone

With his initial loan deal set to expire on February 6, left back James Husband will be eager to impress if recalled to the starting XI - and if he can contain the threat of a marauding Craig Noone then Town will be well placed to capitalise.

Playing in non-league until 2008 after being released from Liverpool as a youngster, the experienced Noone has years of Championship know-how under his belt, as well as a season in the top flight with the Bluebirds.

Five goals and an assist from the right wing tell the story of an orthodox wideman who remains wedded to the dribble and cross way of working. However, he doesn’t shirk his defensive responsibilities and is fond of crunching tackle or two - which could reduce Town’s attacking threat from full back, an aspect of their game which has become increasingly important in Wagner’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

Husband, who arrived with glowing recommendations from Boro but has seen playing time reduced due to the form of Jason Davidson, will need to rise to the challenge.

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Jamie Paterson v Bruno Manga

There has been a heap of speculation about Jamie Paterson’s future during this January transfer window but it’s unlikely to send tremors around PPG Canalside - Paterson remains a Huddersfield Town player until the end of the season under the terms of his loan.

However, his recent form is sending ructions through the fanbase and across the league, and Cardiff will be well aware of his talents.

Three goals in his last five games have only emphasised his improvement under David Wagner, who is still after greater things from the Nottingham Forest loanee.

His work behind Nahki Wells has been a key feature of Town’s recent successes and Bruno Manga will be the man on the receiving end of his talent this weekend. Strong in the air and in the tackle, Manga will know if he can stop the link between Paterson and Wells it will go a long way towards stopping Town.

But Paterson will not be short of confidence heading into this clash in front of the Town faithful.