Rotherham v Huddersfield: Goals the focus in Yorkshire derby

Rotherham run out of steam

Matt Taylor's first away day in charge of Rotherham ended in defeat for the Millers as Blackburn ran out convincing 3-0 winners at Ewood Park last week. Having picked up a point in his home bow three days earlier, Taylor could only watch on in frustration as United fell to a double from Ben Brereton Diaz and a match-sealing third from Sammie Szmodics.

Rotherham competed well for more than an hour but lacked thrust in the final-third. Oliver Rathbone forced a good save, and after another bright attack Tom Eaves managed to beat goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski - only to see his shot cannon off the post, with the Millers unlucky that strike partner Chiedozie Ogbene failed to convert the rebound.

The Millers remain four points clear of the drop-zone and Taylor gave an honest account of his side's efforts post-match, saying: "We were excellent in the first half. We created the better chances, but we needed to make them count. In the second half, their quality has exposed our weaknesses. We were a bit lifeless and lacking energy late on."

Taylor confirmed that 37-year-old captain Richard Wood was left out of the squad to give him a break from the Millers' relentless fixture schedule. The centre-half will return to the heart of the defence this weekend, whilst 18-year-old wing-back Brooke Norton-Cuffy was also withdrawn early at Ewood Park due to fatigue.

Huddersfield record vital victory

Mark Fotheringham marked his first home game in charge of Huddersfield with a first win as the Terriers beat fellow strugglers Hull 2-0 at the John Smith's Stadium last Sunday. Lewie Coyle headed Etienne Camara's cross past his own goalkeeper to put Town ahead and Michal Helik headed home the side's second and decisive strike shortly after the break.

Jordan Rhodes went close to a third as he hit the post yet Huddersfield also survived a couple of clear-cut opportunities from the visitors in each half. Nevertheless, the Terriers were delighted to post only their second Championship success since mid-August, a result that sees Town move to within two points from safety with a game in-hand.

Post-match, Fotheringham revealed that he let rip at certain members of his side for making the wrong decisions on the ball too often in the first half - but was happier with what he saw after the break following a few adjustments and home truths during the interval..

He said, "I wasn't satisfied with our first-half performance and I know we will play much better than that in the future. I gave a couple of players a volley at half-time and they were much better in the second half. That's my job. I'm not here to be the guys' friend. I'm here to win games, we need to win games and we're going to win games."

The draw a runner in derby dust-up

Rotherham have not relished match-ups with their Yorkshire neighbours Huddersfield over the past few decades. The Millers have managed a solitary victory across the duos past 17 league meetings since 1992 (W1-D7-L9), although their most recent meetings in 2020/21 both ended all-square, as have five of the last seven renewals hosted by Rotherham.

Rotherham 2.245/4 have managed a sole success across their last seven Championship outings (W1-D3-L3) but the Millers have remained a tough nut to crack since returning to the second-tier. United have played out draws 3.309/4 in half of their 12 tussles and have been beaten just once at the New York Stadium (W3-D3-L1), keeping three clean sheets.

Huddersfield 3.711/4 have picked up four points from their past two encounters and are W2-D2-L1 since sacking Danny Schofield in mid-September. The Terriers have produced their best work on home soil mind, and Town have earned just one point from a possible 15 on their travels thus far (W0-D1-L4). The visitors rank rock-bottom on Expected Points (xP).

Back both sides to oblige

Backing Both Teams To Score at 1.84/5 could be our best avenue of attack here as two teams under new management continue to find the magic formula for survival. Rotherham have only once failed to score as hosts since promotion and should relish a contest against a Huddersfield outfit that's conceded multiple goals in all five previous away days.

However, despite their plight, Huddersfield have only fired three blanks this season and have posted profitable BTTS selections on seven (58%) occasions already. The Terriers could (and should) have conceded in last weekend's victory and Mark Fotheringham is still searching for the right blend from Town, particularly in his side's defensive make-up.

With the draw also a big runner, the 1-1 correct score at (6.0) could also be worth a small interest play on Saturday afternoon.