Despite the uncertainty regarding his Everton future, Sam Allardyce will be in the dugout for the Blues’ clash against a club he knows very well…
Allardyce made 42 appearances for the Terriers in the 1984-85 season but he wouldn’t want to be doing his old side any favours.
Everton come into their third to last game of a season to forget somehow sitting 8th in the division.
Their Yorkshire counterparts are 16th, a meagre six points above the dreaded drop zone.
Saturday will see the first coming together between the sides on Huddersfield territory since a 1-1 draw in the League Cup in September 1998.
David Wagner’s outfit ended a torrid run of five games without victory last weekend when they downed Watford 1-0 thanks to Tom Ince’s injury time strike.
An away win for the Toffees could see them register a third league ‘double’ of the campaign after Monday’s 1-0 success over Newcastle signed off only their second.
Three points for the Blues wouldn’t see any movement with Burnley eight points better off prior to kick off, but a victory for the home team could see them almost safe.
One to watch
The Terriers haven’t been blessed with goals this term, Steve Mounie their top marksman with a measly nine, but their main man is Aaron Mooy.
The Australian international impressed in the Championship last term whilst on loan and prompted Huddersfield to ship out the big bucks for a permanent transfer.
He has accrued four goals and three assists this season, but his range of passing and ability to cover ground could be the difference at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Team news
The home side will be without their goal scorer from last week Ince, they’ll also be missing Elias Kachunga, Danny Williams and Michael Hefele.
Allardyce said in his press conference that Morgan Schneiderlin and Leighton Baines are touch and go. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to miss the rest of the season. No change in the long term absentees.
Man in the middle
Lee Probert will take charge of the whistle. In the 28 games he has refereed this term, he has dished out 56 yellow cards and five reds.