Hull City look to continue their bright start to the season as they face a struggling Aston Villa at MKM Stadium.
Victory could lift Hull to the summit if results elsewhere go in their favour, whilst Villa can climb out of the relegation zone with a win.
Team News
Ilyas Ansah, Tim Iroegbunam, Christos Mouzakitis, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Sorba Thomas and Robinio Vaz are set for their Hull debuts.
Joe Gelhardt (ankle), Matt Crooks (quad), Lewie Coyle (ankle) and Nobel Mendy (quad) face late fitness checks.
Jack Butland (arm), Eliot Matzo (ACL), Darko Gyabi (adductor), Charlie Hughes (hernia), Oscar Zambrano (hamstring) and Matty Jacob (hip) are ruled out.
Villa could hand debuts to new signings, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Ibrahim Mbaye.
Leon Goretzka (fitness) is a doubt but Joao Gomes (suspension), Brian Madjo (ankle), Johan Manzambi (knee), Amadou Onana (ACL) and Leon Bailey (muscle) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Hull host Villa at MKM Stadium on Saturday 5 September at 5:30pm BST, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Football in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Hull have won just one of eight previous Premier League meetings against Villa (W1, D1, L6).
- Villa have claimed seven points in their four previous Premier League trips to Hull (W2, D1, L1).
- Hull are yet to concede a Premier League goal this season.
- Villa are yet to register a shot on target in the league this season.
Prediction
Still unbeaten and having snatched a late counter-attack winner at Coventry after weathering the hosts’ attacks amidst wasted counter-attacks of their own, Hull now have a chance to put themselves in a solid position if they continue to defend solidly and take their chances.
Villa meanwhile made a positive defensive step in their narrow 1-0 loss to Arsenal but their attack needs to show more composure just to put a shot on target never mind find a goal, so this is a big test for them because they realistically should be winning this sort of game.
Hull however do have enough quality and confidence about them that I think they can snatch a draw here.
Prediction: Hull 1-1 Aston Villa
Leave a Reply