[NoSkillz]

Mon. January 20, 2025

Barclays Premier League
Huddersfield (6-9-7, 27 points, 14th) vs. Dover (15-4-3, 49 points, 4th)
The Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield, UK

Betting Odds: Huddersfield: 9-2 Draw: 13-5 Dover: 1-2 (Favourites)
Past Meetings: 9W 3D 3L

Huddersfield have played us very tough lately, with our last two meetings ending up 1-1 draws. They are coming off a 4-0 win over Fleetwood in FA Cup play but have gone winless in their last eight Premier League games. Their leading scorer is striker Martin Bekking with 9 in 20 matches.

We are missing a couple of starters today in Arsene Bamba and captain Salim Loucif, who are both away on international duty, along with vice captain Saber Nasri and Mohamed Lamine Yilmaz. All four are playing in the African Nations competition. As a result, Mads Pedersen will start again and we also bring in Emerson to play right fullback. Chiquinho will wear the captain’s armband today.

Dover: 4-4-2 Control
GK - I. Wilke
D - Renato Gaucho, C. Contreras, R. Hamon, Emerson
M - M. Pedersen, B. Raab, Jose, G. Bolis
S - P. Moses, Chiquinho
Bench - C. Guzman, M. Mutesa, N. Cairney, A. Rocca, F. Hernandez, G. Allan, A. Broomes

Huddersfield are in a 4-1-3-2 with a DMC. Bekking and veteran striker Paul Lumsden are up front and Alex Smithies is in goal. I tell the players I expect a win today

34’ - Huddersfield are dominating possession in the first 25 minutes with their tight midfield configuration and have also looked the more dangerous team. We’re not taking them for granted but we’re simply being outplayed. However, Gianluca Bolis has the ball on the right side and crosses into the middle. It’s headed by Chiquinho and it’s off the crossbar, then off the backside of keeper Smithies and bounces in. An own goal and we finally break through. DOVER GOAL 1-0

It is now obvious that Huddersfield completely intended to try to hold us to a scoreless draw with that formation. Now that we lead, they make an early substitution and move to a flat 4-4-2. This should help open things up for us.

HALFTIME - We end up leading in ball possession with 54% and outshoot them 10-4 (3-1 on target) but in reality, we are having to work hard for everything we get. The team is definitely up for the game but we are having trouble breaking them down. Paul Moses was called out before the game by Huddersfield’s manager as being our key player and that usually means the player puts up a stinker. It’s happening so far but Moses has the ability to turn things around quickly. I encourage the players at half time and I contemplate changing to an attacking mentality but decide against it.

51’ - We win a corner and Raab’s cross is headed out to Jose, lurking outside the area. He unleashes a blast off the volley and it deflects off a Huddersfield defender and is in. A second own goal. DOVER GOAL 2-0

A third formation for Huddersfield, as they move to a 4-5-1.

58’ - We work possession and move the ball around nicely. Moses takes a pass at the top of the box and feeds the ball into space for Chiquinho. He’s on his weaker foot but slots it past Smithies and in. Nice passing! DOVER GOAL 3-0

73’ - A double substitution, as we take out Moses and Mads Pedersen and bring in Andy Broomes and young Felix Hernandez.

A bit dull but three points are always welcome.

Huddersfield 0 - 3 Dover
Goals - Alex Smithies OG, Phil Walker OG, Chiquinho (8.3)
Assists - Jose (8.2), Chiquinho, Paul Moses (7.2)
Man of the Match - Chiquinho
Other Dover Notables - Emerson (7.5), Rayane Hamon (8.2), Claudio Contreras (7.3), Renato Gaucho (7.5), Mads Pedersen (7.1)
Attendance - 22,367

We end the game with 53% of the ball and a 17-7 (5-1 on target) shot advantage. We’re unbeaten in ten games in the league.


BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE - STANDINGS
(ALL TEAMS HAVE PLAYED 24 GAMES UNLESS NOTED)

1. Manchester United - 55 points (after 23 games)
2. Manchester City - 52 points
3. Dover - 52 points (after 23 games)
4. Chelsea - 50 points
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5. Sheffield Wednesday - 42 points
6. Arsenal - 41 points
7. Newcastle - 38 points
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Barclays Premier League Team of the Week

-- Chiquinho is named to the team of the week for his performance against Huddersfield.



InjuryUpdate

-- We are completely healthy for the first time all year. Super!



Reserve Team Update

-- We absolutely annihilate Watford’s reserves 9-0. Zoltan Bardi scored a hat trick inside the first 75 minutes and I then brought on 18 year old Alberto Velazquez, who scored three goals of his own in only 15 minutes of playing time! Sick! The returning Manuel Lugo also scored, as did Danny Hope and we also got a Watford OG. Superb performance.



International Update

-- Salim Loucif and Arsene Bamba both suit up for their respective nations in African Nations play and both Algeria and Ivory Coast pull out wins as a result.



Premier League Update

-- We have a Sunday fixture this weekend so we can watch the Saturday games once again. Arsenal shock 2nd placed Manchester City 2-0, relegation favourites Blackpool beat Middlesbrough 2-1 and Sheffield Wednesday continue to roll with a 3-0 win over Wolves. Chelsea also win 2-1 over Reading.



Next Up

-- We are huge favourites at home against cellar dwellers Burnley in Premier League action.