Preston boss Simon Grayson is impressed with the way David Wagner has instilled a tough streak in Huddersfield.
Wagner was appointed as the Terriers' head coach in November and has started his first full season in charge in eye-catching fashion.
Wins in eight of their first 12 Sky Bet Championship matches have placed Huddersfield among the pace-setters and they will be looking for another three points at Deepdale on Wednesday.
Grayson led Town into the second tier via the play-offs in 2012 and tipped his cap to Wagner's influence on his former club.
"There has been a big change in culture since David Wagner went in there. They have progressed a lot," he told Preston's official website.
"What they have changed this year is that they are a little bit harder to beat. They were giving away goals last year, which they haven't been this year and the defeats or draws that they had last year, they have been able to turn into victories and have ended up top of the league for such a long period of time.
"Once you get on a roll it is easy to try and keep that going, because of the belief of everyone. The way they play, we have to be very focused on what we need to do in order to get the win."
Huddersfield will not be expecting an easy trip either, having lost some momentum in a 1-0 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.
Wagner will also be aware that the Lilywhites have won each of their last three home matches without conceding, with Aston Villa, Wigan and Cardiff all leaving with nothing.
They will have to do without midfielder John Welsh this time, with the veteran having injured his calf in Saturday's creditable 2-2 draw with Brighton.
The 32-year-old, who has just signed a one-year contract extension, said: "It is looking like it could be a couple of weeks. But I'm a quick healer and hopefully it won't be that long."
In the division's other fixture, Neil Warnock will take charge of Cardiff for the second time against his old sparring partners Sheffield Wednesday.
Warnock kicked off his tenure with a 2-1 win over Bristol City and will be hoping for another home success against the Owls.
However, the visitors will be eager to deny a manager who led their Steel City rivals Sheffield United for eight years.
Warnock has made four signings since arriving in Wales and, having blooded Sol Bamba and Junior Hoilett against City, could give debuts to former England international Kieran Richardson and one-time Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh.
Wednesday boss Carlos Carvalhal has indicated he will look to rotate his squad for the long midweek trip if his medical staff detect any signs of fatigue.
Source: PA
