Huddersfield Town open their 2026‑27 pre‑season on Friday, 10 July, with a friendly against Birmingham City in Portugal, marking the first match under manager Martin Drury’s permanent tenure.

What does the fixture mean for Huddersfield Town?

The game offers Drury a chance to test his new signings – goalkeeper Matthew Young, defender Ilias Bronkhost and midfielder Ethan Brierley – against a Championship side that finished 10th last season. A solid performance could boost confidence ahead of a League One campaign that aims for automatic promotion after a ninth‑place finish in 2025‑26, eight points shy of the playoffs.

Who will line up for the Terriers?

Pre‑season reports suggest a mixed XI. With Lee Nicholls, Ruben Roosken, Dion Charles, Alfie May and Mickel Miller already departed, Drury may rely on younger players alongside the new arrivals. Matthew Young is expected to start between the sticks, while Ilias Bronkhost could partner the back‑line with veteran centre‑back. Midfield will likely feature Ethan Brierley trying to earn a regular spot.

How does Birmingham City’s preparation compare?

Birmingham City travel to Portugal for the same friendly, looking to fine‑tune a squad that earned 64 points from 46 matches in 2025‑26. Manager Chris Davies may rotate his XI, giving minutes to new signing Dael Fry and testing options on the right flank after Jonathan Panzo’s departure. Their recent form – L W D W W D – shows a side that finished mid‑table but hopes to push for a top‑six finish this season.

What are the next steps after the friendly?

Both clubs return to England for further warm‑ups. Birmingham will face Crewe Alexandra and Northampton Town before the Championship starts in August. Huddersfield will host a series of home fixtures to sharpen their attack, hoping the lessons from Portugal translate into a strong league start. The friendly’s result won’t count, but the tactical tweaks and player assessments will shape each manager’s early‑season plans.

The match, scheduled for 15:00 GMT, will be streamed live on the clubs’ official channels. Fans can expect a high‑tempo encounter as both managers experiment with formations and give newcomers a chance to impress. While the scoreline is secondary, the performance of the new signings could dictate who earns a regular place once the league campaign kicks off.