FIFA 18 simulation: Newcastle United vs. Huddersfield Town

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Matt Ritchie of Newcastle in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Matt Ritchie of Newcastle in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Southampton at St. James Park on March 10, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
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FIFA 18 gives us a preview of Newcastle United’s match vs. Huddersfield Town.

In a couple hours, Newcastle United returns to action against Huddersfield Town. Before the match gets underway, we look to FIFA 18 for a preview of the fixture.

For Huddersfield Town’s lineup, we selected the same starting XI as their most recent match: a 3/17, 2-0 loss to Crystal Palace. The Newcastle United side was a compilation of our staff lineup predictions. That gave us a 4-4-2 with Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett; Ritchie, Diame, Shelvey, Kenedy; Perez, Slimani

The visitors handled possession early on and had the first dangerous moment of the match. A series of passes led to Steve Mounie receiving the ball right in front of Martin Dubravka. Thankfully, Jamaal Lascelles was able to poke the ball away and end the threat. The first shot of the match was by Huddersfield’s Florent Hadergjonaj and it was blocked by Florian Lejeune.

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Newcastle United had their first positive moment when Matt Ritchie earned a corner in the 22nd minute. Ritchie led the action early on, also forcing a punch away on a dangerous cross minutes later. There was only one shot in the entire first half between the teams.

During the beginning stages of the second half, the Magpies heavily increased their pressure. They subbed on Mikel Merino for Mohamed Diame and he did a good job of winning the ball back after Newcastle giveaways.

Finally, Ritchie’s work rate paid off. He beat his defender to end line and found Ayoze Perez in front of goal. He touched it quickly to Islam Slimani, but a sliding defender stopped his point-blank shot attempt. Kenedy and Jonjo Shelvey were guilty of too many giveaways in the second half, but the club took over the lead in possession. Tom Ince had a great chance in front of goal for the Terriers but pushed it wide. Jacob Murphy would be the next substitute for the Magpies, replacing Kenedy.

With neither club possessing enough quality in the final third, the match ended a scoreless draw. Each side registered two shots and split possession 52%-48% in favor of Newcastle United.