I’m laughably bad at predicting Huddersfield Town lineups, but that doesn’t stop me giving it a go anyway. With so little Huddersfield Town news for the last couple of weeks due to our early exit from the FA Cup, it’s nice to be able to have a game to look forward to this weekend.

In case Town fans have forgotten, we’re still on a disastrous win-less run that goes all the way back to the victory over Wolves last November. I remember coming away from the game in Wolverhampton feeling confident that performance was a turning point for our season. Sadly it would be David Wagner’s last victory as Huddersfield Town manager.

New boss Jan Siewert has a few selection decisions to make ahead of the Newcastle game in pursuit of his first victory. Here’s how I think we’ll lineup.

Lössl to return in goals

Keepers hate being injured because it gives their understudy an opportunity to become first choice. Hamer let in a particularly soft goal against Arsenal, so Lössl seems almost certain to return between the sticks.

Defence: Smith, Schindler, Kongolo, and Löwe

I can’t say I’ve been impressed by either of Town’s rightbacks this season, but I think Tommy Smith represents a more solid choice than the far-too-flimsy Hadergjonaj.

Zanka and Schindler has been the default central defensive pairing in the Premier League but I think Zanka’s wobbly form warrants a spell on the sidelines so Kongolo can play in his favoured position in the left side of central defence.

Löwe is set to return from injury and I think he’ll come straight back into the starting eleven. This is one of my predictions that I’m less certain about, as Durm could be selected ahead of him or Kongolo may be shunted to left-bank to make room for Zanka. Regardless, Löwe’s form this season has been relatively good and I think he deserves a starting position.

Midfield: Mooy, Hogg, and Bacuna

I’ve been critical of Bacuna’s performances this season but he was widely acclaimed for a battling display against Arsenal last time out and should keep his place. Mooy and Hogg add the quality and the grit respectively, so give us a well-rounded and combative midfield base upon which we can build our attacks.

Philip Billing may be pushing for a starting place, given he’s been one of our better players this season. However, Siewert hasn’t used him very much so far which makes me wonder if the new boss isn’t keen on the big Dane.

Attack: Diakhaby, Kachunga, and Grant

Diakhaby is enjoying some of his best football in his time at Huddersfield Town now and deserves to get another chance against Newcastle. His raw pace is a major asset and there are signs that his teammates are starting to give him the kind of service that exploits this strength.

I’m a massive fan of Kachunga but I can also see his limitations alongside his strength. While he’ll rarely have the skill or pace to beat a defender I think his work-rate and tenacity warrant continued selection. His ability to close the ball down high up the field is very useful, particularly away from home. Jan Siewert mentioned that Kachunga has been ill with the flu this week, but also suggested it wasn’t all that bad so should be fit to play against the Magpies.

Karlan Grant has now outscored all of Town’s other strikers despite having played less than half an hour of football. The goal that was originally given as an own goal against Arsenal has now been credited to our new signing. Given Grant has had the last two weeks to become better accustomed to Siewert’s style of football I’d expect him to now be ready to make his first start.

Jason Puncheon was deployed as a false nine against Arsenal, taking up the position of the central striker but mostly dropping deep when Town attacked. I’m no expert tactician but it didn’t seem all that effective and I thought Puncheon struggled to cause any significant threat to Arsenal’s back line in this position, so hopefully we’ll go back to playing out and out strikers.